2016 Tillman Scholar
Katie knows firsthand that service and sacrifice mean different things to different people. As a military spouse, she has faced the unique challenges of her husband’s service as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. As a pediatric oncology nurse, she has personally faced moments where the decisions she had to make in a split second impacted whether or not a child lived. And she has drawn on her own experience within the military community — facing long separations, frequent relocations and day-to =-day worry about a loved one’s well-being — to extend support and healing to their families.
Inspired by her husband’s commitment to serving, she dedicates an extensive amount of time to volunteer her medical skills at camps for children with cancer, special events serving children in foster care and their families, and schools as far away as Tanzania. Collectively, these experiences — while supporting her husband through his career — have made her more well-rounded and taught her about her strengths, limitations, and the many ways that she can utilize her talents.
Katie earned her doctorate of nursing practice in pediatrics at Arizona State University and continues to make an impact in the lives of children and families during their greatest times of need, now as a nurse practitioner in pediatric oncology. She also volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children in foster care. By utilizing the unique skill sets she has developed in her personal and professional life, she makes a significant difference in pediatric oncology and pediatric palliative care to improve the lives of children facing a life-threatening illness.