Kathleen Fedoronko Named Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Chief Nursing Officer

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute names Kathleen Fedoronko, MSN, RN, OCN, as the new chief nursing officer and vice president of Patient Care Services at Karmanos Cancer Hospital. Fedoronko brings over 25 years of ambulatory and acute health care leadership, 20 of those years at Karmanos. She assumed the position in June after Kathleen Carolin, RN, BSN, MSA, the former CNO, retired.

"I've dedicated my career to oncology nursing, and it's been my goal to continue leading excellent nurses at one of the best cancer centers in the country," expressed Fedoronko. "At Karmanos, our staff are incredible, and we truly put the patient first when helping them throughout their cancer journey. We strive to be a cancer center where patients, their family and caregivers feel at home and know they are given the best cancer care that can be offered."

In this new role, Fedoronko will oversee, direct and influence inpatient and ambulatory nursing practice. She reports directly to Brian Gamble, president of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Cancer Network.

"Kathleen is highly qualified and well-prepared for this role. She has been pivotal to our team's success regarding the quality of care patients receive at Karmanos," said Gamble. "As a veteran in oncology nursing here at Karmanos, she has been a proven leader throughout the years, ensuring patient satisfaction, improving patient outcomes and promoting a positive work environment."

Fedoronko has been pivotal in the accreditation process, including preparing for the Joint Commission and the Foundation for Accreditation for Cellular Therapy surveys. Starting as a staff nurse at Karmanos with the bone marrow and stem cell transplant (BMT) team, she transitioned into a clinical manager and later became the program's director of Patient Care Services. Shortly after, she was appointed the director of Patient Care Services for all inpatient clinical areas and the BMT ambulatory areas. This included surgical and medical oncology, critical care, allogeneic and autologous BMT units, hematology and BMT clinics, infusion, apheresis department, and IV drug therapy.

Over the years, Fedoronko has collaborated with many nursing colleagues, producing professional, evidence-based presentations and publications that feature sustaining high patient satisfaction, quality patient care, leadership and positive working environments through the health care model of Relationship Based Care. She received her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Wayne State University. As an oncology-certified nurse, she belongs to the Metro Detroit Oncology Nursing Society (MDONS) and the national Oncology Nursing Society. In 2019, Fedoronko was named the MDONS Outstanding Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year.