BARDSTOWN, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2022) – Bailee Pope, APRN, has joined the CHI Saint Joseph Health – Cancer Care Center at Flaget Memorial Hospital. Pope, who was born in the original Flaget Memorial Hospital, says she is looking forward to returning to the health care system to begin her advanced practice provider career decades later.
Pope recently graduated with her doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Louisville. As an undergraduate student at Western Kentucky University, she initially considered a pre-med track until a professor suggested the nursing field. Pope immediately felt drawn to the nursing classes and the professors, and says she fell in love with caring for patients at the bedside and its importance during care, especially in her oncology rotation at University of Louisville Hospital.
“I loved working on the inpatient oncology floor and facilitating the care of patients while getting to know their entire family and support network,” Pope said. “You’re able to form a connection with the whole family and really support this patient through an anxious and uncertain time in their lives. It makes me happy that I can help guide them through this chapter. ”
Pope says the word “cancer” may elicit many uncomfortable feelings in patients, but her philosophy of care is to treat the person first and the disease second.
“You’re not just caring for a disease or a diagnosis,” Pope said. “People need to be cared for all around – spiritually, physically and emotionally. All qualities of life can be cared for holistically as well as medically, and that’s what I aim to do in my role as a professional and through my role in their current journey.”
Pope is passionate about patient education and empowering her patients to manage their health and care. With an interest in oncology since the beginning of her medical education, she looking forward to her career as a provider.
“I want patients to know that their care team has their best intentions during this challenging time in their lives,” Pope said. “I want to make sure patients understand the steps going into their care plan, and if they don’t, I’m here to explain that process and talk them through it.”
In her free time, Pope enjoys running, reading, puzzles, kayaking, and spending time with her husband, Jonathan.
Pope will practice at 4359 New Shepherdsville Road in Bardstown. For more information, call 502.350.5700.
About CHI Saint Joseph Health
CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.
About the CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group
CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group is the employed provider network of CHI Saint Joseph Health with 88 locations in 17 communities throughout central and eastern Kentucky.
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