Christina Kim, ANP-BC, GNP-BC, ACHPN, a palliative care nurse practitioner on the multidisciplinary Lunder 9 oncology team at the Mass General Cancer Center, is someone everyone wants on their team. Noted as an expert resource on everything from symptom management to end-of-life care, doctors, nurses, social workers and residents alike seek her out for guidance. Not content to be the only expert, she’s a constant champion and leader for developing new educational programs and in-service opportunities for palliative care nurse practitioners.
In her day-to-day work, she focuses on providing the best care possible in what are often emotionally-charged end-of-life situations. A recent patient faced a great deal of pain in his final weeks. Christina was a tireless advocate for his wish to return home to spend his final days with his family. Whether she was writing letters to pharmaceutical companies seeking approval for medications or spending hours with his family, Christina did all she could to ensure his comfort and soothe his family’s anxiety. After he passed away, surrounded by loved ones, the family established a fund in his memory, which will allow for more patients to receive the same remarkable care.
Says MGH oncology chaplain Katrina Scott, “Christina is the kind of clinician I would want for myself and those who are dear to me.”
