MISSION AWARD – KRYSTA KAAS

By Andrea Busche

Those in the medical profession share a mission to help their patients get better. But when their personal passions intersect with the drive to heal others, the sky is truly the limit for what can be accomplished.

Krysta Kaas is the winner of this year’s “Mission Award.” This special honor is given to an individual who has gone above and beyond the scope of their everyday duties, providing assistance to our community through volunteerism and making a difference through their expertise.

Kaas has a passion for health and wellness. She has shared her gifts with others by teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as a part of her job at Essentia Health, but also by volunteering to teach the course outside the boundaries of work.

Background

Kaas was born in Waseca, Minn., but has lived in Duluth most of her life. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Superior in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, and earned a master’s of business administration (MBA) in 2015 from The College of St. Scholastica.

Thank you to all the Physicians in NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin at all the clinics and hospitals serving their communities with the best of care. We understand we are in unprecedented times and we support you 100%.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A BLESSING TO US ALL

Kaas has worked at Essentia for 18 years, and has spent her entire career in cardiology; today, her role is as a STEMI chest pain specialist. She is also Essentia’s MBSR facilitator. Essentia offers a program to teach MBSR techniques to the community, and Kaas manages the program and is also an instructor.

Benefits of MBSR

Kaas has certainly found her niche.

“Cardiology and wellbeing are passions of mine,” she said. “But I believe the best medicine is teaching people not to need it. We all have abilities to help our own minds, bodies and emotions, and one way to do this is through MBSR.”

Kaas explained a little about the modality of mindfulness.

“Mindfulness is nothing more than paying attention in the present moment, while suspending judgment. Be here now. Every moment is an opportunity for practice,” she said.

Kaas herself has used MBSR techniques to find relief from anxiety and the chronic pain caused by a car accident.

“Mindfulness changes your perception of pain,” she said. “It creates a little space between ourselves and the pain, and softens the edges a little bit.”

While Essentia has had an MBSR program for at least a decade, in her last few years as facilitator, Kaas has taken it to the next level.

Under the mentorship of previous facilitator, Elizabeth Zuber, Kaas has expanded its offerings to include a four-week course in addition to the standard eight-week course. She has also developed a curriculum for kids and teens.

While Kaas teaches MBSR techniques as part

Kaas enjoys practicing yoga, and doing outdoor activities like kayaking, paddle boarding and hiking. She shares her home with her Yorkie pup, Emmie, and relishes her role as a brand-new auntie.

Nomination

Kaas was nominated for the Mission Award by an Essentia colleague, Amanda Van Kilsdonk.

“Krysta is not only employed in the Essentia Health St. Mary’s Heart & Vascular Center in Duluth, but she is the manager of the Essentia Health Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program,” explained Van Kilsdonk.

of her career, she also volunteers with local universities, classrooms, and in corporate settings to teach MBSR to others. Additionally, Kaas volunteers her time by coordinating a vegan cooking class, and also volunteers with the American Heart Association.

“I really believe service is the rent you pay to live,” she said.

“Through this program, Krysta has educated the local community through seminars, classes, public events and more on the importance of mindfulness-based practices. Her program has grown to encapsulate local schools and businesses, as well as patients. She is passionate about self-care and wellbeing, and her drive to make a difference in people’s lives makes her a great candidate for the Mission Award.”

“It is very humbling and honoring to receive this award, and to be acknowledged for work that I hold so dear,” Kaas shared. “Mindfulness has been such a gift in my own life, and I hope others have found value in it for themselves.”