Saint Luke's Cancer Institute

10/23/2025

Jalayna has spent the last two years caring for patients as a nurse at Saint Luke’s Hospital Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer, where compassion, connection, and holistic care are at the heart of everything she does.

Jalayna was inspired to go into oncology care after a close friend was diagnosed with leukemia. Throughout the process, she saw the meaningful impact a nurse can have. That experience continues to shape how she connects with her own patients today.

“I am passionate about helping people, even in the smallest ways,” Jalayna said. “A little kindness or a listening ear can go a long way.”

At the Koontz Center, Jalayna is part of a team that takes pride in offering care that supports all parts of a patient’s well-being.

“Our clinic is unique because we provide services for mental and emotional health, nutrition, physical therapy, and other resources,” Jalayna said. “We believe our patients are more than their cancer diagnosis, and we work to ensure that we care for them as a whole person.”

When it comes to breast health, she encourages women to take a proactive approach.

“Get your mammogram and speak up to your provider if you feel like something is off,” Jalayna said. “The earlier we can find something, the better.” 🩷

10/22/2025

Living with metastatic breast cancer can be challenging—not just for the patient, but for their loved ones, too. The Journey of Courage and Hope Retreat, held November 7–9 at Circle S Ranch & Country Inn, offers a chance to step away from daily routines and focus on healing, renewal, and connection.

This special weekend includes:
✨ Group discussions and professional counseling
🧘‍♀️ Yoga and massage sessions
🌳 Nature walks
💗 Legacy work to help prepare for the future with hope

You do not have to be a Saint Luke’s patient to attend—this retreat is open to all individuals living with metastatic breast cancer and their support person. There is no cost to attend. To register, please contact Kristina Ulmer at 816-932-9644 or krinelson1@saintlukeskc.org.

10/16/2025

Emily, a breast oncology nurse with Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, has dedicated her career to supporting patients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

After graduating from nursing school in 2020, Emily cared for patients as a nurse in the Medical/Surgical unit, but soon realized her true calling was in oncology, where she could walk alongside and advocate for patients throughout their entire cancer journey.

“I am inspired every day by the strength and bravery of my patients,” Emily said. “My goal as a breast oncology nurse is to ease the overwhelming burden of cancer by being a trusted resource and advocate for my patients and their families.”

One of Emily’s best memories has been volunteering at the Journey of Courage and Hope retreat organized by Saint Luke’s Hospital Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer for individuals living with advanced breast cancer. Witnessing the retreat’s impact on patients’ emotional and spiritual well-being has been a defining highlight of her career.

Experiences like these have reinforced Emily’s commitment to patient care and her belief in the power of early detection.

“Breast cancer is a very prevalent disease in our world, and the earlier it’s detected, the sooner we can provide interventions,” Emily said. “I want to encourage everyone to prioritize their health and make time for their screenings. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.”

Emily’s dedication and compassion make a difference in the lives of her patients every single day. This , we honor her and all the amazing caregivers who provide hope, support, and guidance to those navigating treatment and recovery. 🩷

10/15/2025

Every breakthrough in metastatic breast cancer begins with a clinical trial. At Saint Luke’s Hospital Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer, we participate in these pioneering studies to provide patients with exclusive access to emerging treatments. Hear from Dr. Timothy Pluard about our commitment to bringing new drugs to patients everywhere.

10/14/2025

Last night, Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City was lit up in green and pink for Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Awareness Day. 💙💚🩷

We’re proud to join the global LightUpMBC campaign and METAvivor Research and Support Inc. to honor the MBC community and raise awareness for Stage 4 breast cancer—when the disease spreads beyond the breast.

At Saint Luke’s Hospital Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer, we’re the only center in the region dedicated to supporting individuals living with metastatic breast cancer through innovative treatments, compassionate care, and ongoing research.

Together, we honor their strength and resilience.

10/10/2025

The FDA recently approved two new drugs this year for treating metastatic breast cancer. The new drugs are designed to kill more cancer cells while sparing healthy cells, resulting in fewer side effects—options that weren't available even just five years ago.

Dr. Timothy Pluard, medical director of Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, says this is a time to be very hopeful. Hear the details from him on Health News You Can Use.

10/08/2025

Saint Luke’s leaders and team members recently volunteered at Metro Lutheran Ministry as part of Belonging Week, an annual event for team members system-wide to celebrate our differences and create a culture where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

This year’s theme for Belonging Week was “Growing Connections.” Various team members connected with our community through service. This group packed more than 1,400 sack lunches for our neighbors in need.

When we combine our time, energy, and compassion, we can make a real difference in communities all across Kansas City and beyond. 💙

10/07/2025

After more than 46 years of heartfelt care that touched thousands of lives, Shawna (center 👑) is starting her next adventure in retirement.

Shawna spent her entire career with Saint Luke’s and worked in a variety of areas before becoming a nurse. She started as a patient transporter and then became a certified nursing assistant while attending nursing school. As a registered nurse, Shawna worked in the medical intermediate cardiac care unit for 25 years. She then spent time in the post-anesthesia care unit, the gastrointestinal lab, Saint Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, and has been in the cardiovascular prep and recovery unit for the last 15 years.

To say that Shawna is dedicated is an understatement. Her patients were always her sole focus. Her coworkers describe her as smart, thoughtful, and witty. She is an excellent role model, leader, and communicator. Shawna received countless praises from patients throughout the years and earned multiple recognitions. She has truly been a gift to our hospital and the epitome of an ideal nurse.

Thank you, Shawna, for your incredible tenure and commitment to your profession, patients, and peers. You are a treasure that will be deeply missed. 💙

10/06/2025

Saint Luke's arrived in style for the Kansas City Heart and Stroke Walk at the Liberty Memorial. More than 60 people rounded out our team, and together we raised more than $20,000 for the American Heart Association!

The Heart and Stroke Walk is a fun, family friendly event that brings our community together to get active, raise lifesaving funds, and support the mission of the American Heart Association. It celebrates heart health, honors survivors, and remembers loved ones affected by heart disease and stroke.

Through fundraising and community engagement, the Heart and Stroke Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research, and ultimately, save lives.

10/03/2025

Why are more women under 50 being diagnosed with breast cancer?

Dr. Mary Mitchell, chief of Breast Radiology at Saint Luke’s, sheds light on this concerning trend and how women can know their risk of breast cancer at younger ages.

10/02/2025

The Life of a Health Care Worker (Saint Luke's Version).

Helping people is more than a job for us—it's our whole lives. With every Speak Now question, Fearless challenge, Red alert, unusual Folklore, or Midnights worry, our diverse range of caregivers is here to help you.

At Saint Luke’s, you’ll always find a Lover of wellness and a team with a Reputation for being committed to your health for Evermore.

10/01/2025

Saint Luke's recently took over the Polar Bear Passage at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium to share a fun activity celebrating our Wild Beginnings partnership. 🐾

Lots of kids (and adults, too!) colored their favorite animal, then we turned them into buttons that they got to wear and take home. We loved seeing everyone’s excitement and wild imaginations come together.

Wild Beginnings supports the births of new animals at the zoo—a.k.a "Zooborns." Our commitment to innovative, patient-centered maternity care has allowed us to help local families grow for more than 135 years, and we’re excited to see these zoo families do the same. 💙

09/30/2025

Summer 2025 was a time we will never forget. It was full of firsts, lifesaving care, and celebrations. One thing we do know for sure is that we love caring for our patients, community, and each other. 💙

09/29/2025

It’s a cozy afternoon in Vern’s Pub at Saint Luke’s Bishop Spencer Place, where residents Carol, 96, and Jean, 95, share laughter like the lifelong friends they are. Their bond began in 1932, when Jean attended Carol’s second birthday party. From there, childhood adventures turned into a friendship that would span nearly a century.

They spent summers at a Michigan camp, later followed their love of history to Vassar College, and even traveled abroad together—adventures they now look back on fondly.

After college, Carol married, asking Jean to be her maid of honor, while Jean became active in the Junior League. As they raised families, holiday gatherings and weekend visits kept them connected, and their children became friends, too.

In 2006, Carol moved to Bishop Spencer Place with her husband. To her delight, she soon discovered a familiar face right across the hall.

“It was a pleasure to see Jean again,” Carol said. “I moved into one of the apartments across the hall from her, so it’s just like we’re neighbors again after all the years.”

Reflecting on their many years together, Carol and Jean admit the secret to an enduring friendship is less about the time you spend together and more about the space you hold for each other.

“We never drifted apart,” Carol says. “When Jean moved in, it was like we were kids again. We played bridge together, our husbands were in the investment club together, and we had dinner together. It just felt like old times.”

Read more about Carol and Jean’s lifelong friendship: https://heyor.ca/fDw1jx

09/26/2025

Almost one-quarter of American adults live with chronic pain. Thankfully, patients don’t have to depend on opioid medications to treat it.

Dr. Tyler Concannon, an interventional pain physician at Saint Luke's Pain Management Clinic, shares helpful insights about the interventions and procedures that treat pain without the need for medication on Health News You Can Use.

09/25/2025

At Saint Luke’s, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) play an important role in the exceptional care our patients receive across our clinics and hospitals. These clinicians are at the heart of what we do, and we are fortunate to have them on our team. 💙

09/24/2025

And with that, the 2025 Plaza Art Fair comes to an end.

We’re proud to have been the presenting sponsor of this Kansas City tradition for the past decade. It’s always inspiring to see the community come together to celebrate creativity, connection, and local talent, and we’re grateful to be part of an event that showcases the vibrant spirit of our city.

From the paper flowers we made for our interactive sculpture to the art made in our Kids Zone, the weekend was filled with color, energy, and joy. 🎨 💙

09/04/2025

We want to recognize the incredibly talented violinist Joanna Metsker! Guests at our inaugural Gem of a Night event were enchanted by her melodies as they arrived. Recognize the song?

Gem of a Night celebrated women's heart and breast health. Joanna's mother, Janie, was part of the team at Saint Luke’s Hospital Koontz Center for Advanced Breast Cancer before she retired last year. They both use their unique talents to help us raise awareness of women's health issues.

Thank you, Joanna, for making our event so memorable!

09/04/2025

When Saint Luke's Muriel I. Kauffman Women's Heart Center and Saint Luke's Cancer Institute join forces to educate our community on the importance of women's health, the result is a Gem of a Night!

The inaugural Saint Luke's Gem of a Night event brought a full house to the luxurious Meierotto Jewelers with bejeweled flowers, live music, and a picturesque balloon display provided by Up, Up & Away! Cardiologist Dr. Tracy Stevens and breast radiologist Dr. Ruby Meierotto gave eye-opening presentations about heart and breast health.

Together, we’re empowering women with knowledge, sparking conversations, and shining a brighter light on the future of women’s health.

08/27/2025

Ten years ago, doctors estimated Melissa had about three years to live.

In March 2015, Melissa was experiencing severe headaches. On March 25, the pain became overwhelming, and her husband Don called for help. An ambulance took Melissa to Wright Memorial Hospital, and an MRI revealed Melissa had glioblastoma—a serious form of cancer that originates in the brain with a five-year survival rate of about 5%.

Melissa was sent to Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City for emergency surgery, followed by chemo, radiation, and rehab. Ten years later, Melissa, 68, has recovered physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and now greets each day with excitement.

“I wake up smiling, and it carries with me,” Melissa says. “It's in everything you see, every song you hear. It's everywhere.”

In 2023, Melissa began seeing Dr. Samuel Goldlust, a neuro-oncologist, for continuing care.

"Dr. Goldlust is very impressive," Don said. "He took the time to understand our history before entering the room."

Though Melissa has physical limitations and had to relearn to speak, she embraces what her body can manage and cherishes time she once feared she’d lose. Melissa and Don recently saw their son graduate from Kansas State University summa cm laude—another one of those little moments that mean so much.

Melissa and Don saw firsthand how Saint Luke’s stands apart through our dedication to advanced cancer research and treatments. With support from generous donors, we deliver leading-edge care to thousands of patients. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲: https://heyor.ca/Ji6lOs

08/22/2025

Summer sunshine offers many joys—but it also comes with some risks. Skin cancer remains the most common type of cancer in the U.S., affecting 1 in 5 individuals.

Dr. Megan McNally, a surgical oncologist, emphasizes sun protection strategies and the crucial role of early detection. Watch her conversation with KCTV5 News Kansas City to learn how to protect your skin: https://heyor.ca/SM8H5E

Megan McNally, MD, a surgical oncologist with Saint Luke's Cancer Institute, shares tips on sun protection and early skin cancer detection.

08/12/2025

Catching cancer early can make all the difference. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, but when found early, treatment is far more effective. Saint Luke’s comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program helps identify cancer at its earliest, most curable stage.

You may qualify for screening if:
✔️ You’re 50–80 years old AND
✔️ You have a 20+ pack-year smoking history OR
✔️ You currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years

Next steps:
📞 Talk with your provider to see if screening is right for you
📝 A provider’s order is required to schedule screening

Learn more about Saint Luke’s comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program: https://heyor.ca/IfXM9l

06/25/2025

Congratulations to Rich Liekweg, BJC Health System CEO, who announced his plans to retire on October 1, 2025, concluding an extraordinary career spanning almost 40 years in health care, the last 16 of which were devoted to BJC.

“It has been an honor to serve and lead our team members these past 16 years as they deliver exceptional care to our patients and communities,” said Rich. “Together, we successfully navigated through unprecedented times in the industry, never losing sight of our singular purpose to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. I am deeply proud of our caregivers, the culture we have created, and the values we share that place the patient at the center of all we do.”

BJC is pleased to announce that Nick Barto, current BJC Health System President, will succeed Rich as President and CEO of BJC Health System.

“I am honored to be selected to succeed Rich Liekweg as BJC Health System’s President and CEO,” said Nick. “I look forward to working with our 47,000 team members to build on Rich’s vision that grew BJC into a super-regional health care leader, to continue to provide extraordinary care to the communities we serve, and to position BJC as a mission-oriented academic health care leader for all future generations.”

Read more here: https://heyor.ca/j1yUMR

06/13/2025

The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is highlighting how cancer programs are utilizing genomic data to enhance access to clinical trials in a new video series featuring Saint Luke's Cancer Institute Center for Precision Oncology.

Dr. Marc Roth, gastrointestinal oncologist, and Dr. Ossama Tawfik, pathologist—along with a team of experts—share how our approach is making a difference for patients across the region.

Watch the series from ACCC for more on how our team is advancing the future of cancer care:

To help cancer care teams in the community setting implement genetic testing into patient care, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) offers this spo...