Keeley Fancher
October 2025
Keeley
Fancher
,
BSN, RN, OCN
CA9
The University of Kansas Health System
Kansas City
,
KS
United States
She builds meaningful rapport with her patients and advocates for them in every way possible. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure each patient receives the highest quality care.
There are too many situations that I feel I have been a part of or witnessed where this nurse has made an impactful change on a patient’s journey.
The first one that comes to mind is when Keeley was working three shifts in a row and was assigned to one of KU’s first gene therapy patients. This patient called out multiple nights in a row around 0200 to ask questions that were keeping him awake and causing him anxiety. These questions, in particular, were regarding his therapy, chemo, blood work, and more.
Due to this being our first Lyfgenia gene therapy patient, there were not many resources this nurse could find right off the bat. She spent most of the next few nights researching and trying to help answer these questions for this patient. With it usually being in the middle of the time to collect labs on the rest of their patients, Keeley still took the time, effort, and kindness to go out of her way to find answers. She spent extra time in the patient’s room to help answer questions, calm them down, and simply be a listening ear as they prepared for treatment. She was not only acting as a nurse those nights, but also as an advocate, helping get questions answered while providing emotional support.
The next story that comes to mind involves a patient who was two days out from their AUTO transplant. This individual had moisture breakdown that Keeley caught and further investigated, discovering it was spreading around their waist area. She went out of her way to ensure the patient had appropriate medications on board and additional interventions in place to prevent further injury or complications. If it were not for this nurse’s sharp assessment, compassion, and knowledge of what medications to request and interventions to initiate, this patient may have experienced a delay in care that could have evolved into yet another complication in their recovery.
Aside from these two stories, Keeley is one of the hardest-working individuals I have had the pleasure of working alongside. There are multiple patients who are readmitted for treatment or additional care, and almost all of them recognize her immediately. They recall in detail the many thoughtful things she has done for them during previous stays.
Keeley cares deeply for her patients. She builds meaningful rapport with her patients and advocates for them in every way possible. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure each patient receives the highest quality care.
Keeley is incredibly knowledgeable. As a charge nurse, I frequently go to her with questions because I know she will have the answer. If she does not, she knows exactly where to find it. She has also been a strong voice and advocate for new graduates coming off orientation, as well as for her coworkers.
Keeley is more than deserving of any and all recognition. CA9 would not be the same without her. Our patients would not get through their treatments or journeys without her kind heart and knowledge. She is truly one of a kind, and KU is incredibly fortunate to have them on our team.
The first one that comes to mind is when Keeley was working three shifts in a row and was assigned to one of KU’s first gene therapy patients. This patient called out multiple nights in a row around 0200 to ask questions that were keeping him awake and causing him anxiety. These questions, in particular, were regarding his therapy, chemo, blood work, and more.
Due to this being our first Lyfgenia gene therapy patient, there were not many resources this nurse could find right off the bat. She spent most of the next few nights researching and trying to help answer these questions for this patient. With it usually being in the middle of the time to collect labs on the rest of their patients, Keeley still took the time, effort, and kindness to go out of her way to find answers. She spent extra time in the patient’s room to help answer questions, calm them down, and simply be a listening ear as they prepared for treatment. She was not only acting as a nurse those nights, but also as an advocate, helping get questions answered while providing emotional support.
The next story that comes to mind involves a patient who was two days out from their AUTO transplant. This individual had moisture breakdown that Keeley caught and further investigated, discovering it was spreading around their waist area. She went out of her way to ensure the patient had appropriate medications on board and additional interventions in place to prevent further injury or complications. If it were not for this nurse’s sharp assessment, compassion, and knowledge of what medications to request and interventions to initiate, this patient may have experienced a delay in care that could have evolved into yet another complication in their recovery.
Aside from these two stories, Keeley is one of the hardest-working individuals I have had the pleasure of working alongside. There are multiple patients who are readmitted for treatment or additional care, and almost all of them recognize her immediately. They recall in detail the many thoughtful things she has done for them during previous stays.
Keeley cares deeply for her patients. She builds meaningful rapport with her patients and advocates for them in every way possible. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure each patient receives the highest quality care.
Keeley is incredibly knowledgeable. As a charge nurse, I frequently go to her with questions because I know she will have the answer. If she does not, she knows exactly where to find it. She has also been a strong voice and advocate for new graduates coming off orientation, as well as for her coworkers.
Keeley is more than deserving of any and all recognition. CA9 would not be the same without her. Our patients would not get through their treatments or journeys without her kind heart and knowledge. She is truly one of a kind, and KU is incredibly fortunate to have them on our team.