Dana-Farber Cancer Institute shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Phillipe Armand, asked Kelsey Baker-Brooks, to perform a vein check – a standard procedure – for a patient who was about to begin chemotherapy. When Armand, chief of Lymphoma, said the patient’s name, Baker-Brooks paused. ‘Katie Magni?‘ she remembers asking. ‘You mean the Katie Magni?‘
A few years prior, the two nurses worked together. Baker-Brooks remembers Magni as an intelligent, approachable leader who oversaw nursing policy and procedures at Dana-Farber regional campuses.
Their careers each took them in different directions: Baker-Brooks joined Lymphoma on the eighth floor of the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care, while Magni became the nursing director at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center at Milford Regional Medical Center and then Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center – Foxborough. They were brought back together after Magni was diagnosed with lymphoma.
After more than two decades as a nurse, stepping back from the role of clinician to become the patient wasn’t easy for Magni, but she realized that she was not alone on this journey. As with every patient, the clinic assembled a primary nursing team to ensure Magni was surrounded by familiar faces every step of the way.
Primary nursing – a foundational part of our care delivery model – requires careful coordination and offers a holistic, patient-centered approach to care. Kristen Abdelmaseh, who grew close to Magni during her treatment, explains that a primary nursing approach allows her and her colleagues to get to know a patient on a deeper level beyond their symptoms or diagnoses.
‘We care for the whole patient.
We don’t just know their infusions and side effects, but we also know their family and what’s happening in their life.’
Adds Abdelmaseh.
Some days, Magni spent eight hours at Dana-Farber.
‘My team took such amazing care of me. They did everything they could to make me feel comfortable and anticipated every side effect I faced.’
She says.
From afar, the team at Dana-Farber – Foxborough also supported Magni, sporting T-shirts with lime green lymphoma ribbons in clinic and joining Dana-Farber – Milford staff to organize a team in The Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai.
Throughout her experience, Baker-Brooks observed a singular drive and positive attitude in Magni. During treatment, Magni continued to work on her doctorate in nursing, with plans to graduate in May 2026. She gained a valuable perspective from the other side of the infusion chair. Navigating procedures, transitions between hospital systems, and insurance paperwork for off-label medications opened her eyes to the challenges patients can face before they come to Dana-Farber.
Magni, who is now off treatment and being monitored, has returned to her role as a nurse, knowing how important her role can be.
‘My team provided comfort and care in my darkest moments.
I am forever grateful.’
Said Magni.”
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