Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 73 From Growing Up in Great Falls to Becoming a Doctor Who Treats Cancer Jessica Kaae, DO is a hematologist/ oncologist at Benefis Health System. She treats everything from disorders of the blood like anemias and clotting disorders to malignancies such as leukemias, lymphomas, and cancers involving major organs. Dr. Kaae also helps people with a high risk of developing cancer to take important preventative steps. MEET JESSICA KAAE, DO How did your upbringing in Great Falls influence your path to becoming a doctor who treats cancer? Cancer medicine always interested me – it remains one of the great frontiers in medicine; we have explored, but we're far from settling the landscape. Growing up in a household of registered nurses, I was exposed to healthcare and the health sciences at an early age. I was also fortunate to have several amazing mentors through Montana public schools and beyond who inspired my career. Did you always know you wanted to practice in Montana, your home state? Once I decided to pursue a career in medicine, I could not imagine practicing anywhere other than Montana—partially because my family lives in Big Sky Country, and because I've always felt a strong sense of duty to this community. Montana has struggled in the past with recruiting and retaining physicians, and I felt I could make a difference here. I have a unique interest in rural medicine and look forward to serving outreach clinics in northcentral Montana as well as engaging with patients through telemedicine. How does it feel when your patients conquer these complicated diseases? Cancer is undoubtedly one of the most feared and confusing medical conditions. Cancer patients are truly inspirational, and I continue to be humbled by their courage and resilience. It is incredibly rewarding to first help my patients understand and cope with their illness, and then to be a part of their journey to recovery. In doing so, I get to know my patients on a personal level and they become sort of an extended family. What makes Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute an outstanding place for patients to receive treatment? After living and working in various locations around the country, I can say without question that Sletten Cancer Institute is one of the most comprehensive cancer centers I've seen. We are fortunate to provide not only medical and radiation oncology services under one roof, but also genetic counseling, naturopathy, and numerous support services for cancer patients and their families. Maybe even more importantly, every member of the care team is compassionate and dedicated to providing the best possible care. Where do you find the strength to be such a rock for people when they are fighting for their lives? As a native Montanan, I've come to know the uncertainty of life. We expect the unexpected with our ever-changing climate and learn to take adversity in stride. We have never been a group to take the easy roads, knowing well the hardship that may lie ahead. I think this mentality serves us all well when facing an illness like cancer. I focus on the healing I have witnessed during my time in medicine and look to my faith for strength. It is one of the great privileges of my life to be a part of my patients' journey through illness and recovery. A tradition of advanced care. Learn more at Benefis.org From Growing Up in Great Falls to Becoming a Doctor Who Treats Cancer Jessica Kaae, DO is a hematologist/ oncologist at Benefis Health System. She treats everything from disorders of the blood like anemias and clotting disorders to malignancies such as leukemias, lymphomas, and cancers involving major organs. Dr. Kaae also helps people with a high risk of developing cancer to take important preventative steps. MEET JESSICA KAAE, DO How did your upbringing in Great Falls influence your path to becoming a doctor who treats cancer? Cancer medicine always interested me – it remains one of the great frontiers in medicine; we have explored, but we're far from settling the landscape. Growing up in a household of registered nurses, I was exposed to healthcare and the health sciences at an early age. I was also fortunate to have several amazing mentors through Montana public schools and beyond who inspired my career. Did you always know you wanted to practice in Montana, your home state? Once I decided to pursue a career in medicine, I could not imagine practicing anywhere other than Montana—partially because my family lives in Big Sky Country, and because I've always felt a strong sense of duty to this community. Montana has struggled in the past with recruiting and retaining physicians, and I felt I could make a difference here. I have a unique interest in rural medicine and look forward to serving outreach clinics in northcentral Montana as well as engaging with patients through telemedicine. How does it feel when your patients conquer these complicated diseases? Cancer is undoubtedly one of the most feared and confusing medical conditions. Cancer patients are truly inspirational, and I continue to be humbled by their courage and resilience. It is incredibly rewarding to first help my patients understand and cope with their illness, and then to be a part of their journey to recovery. In doing so, I get to know my patients on a personal level and they become sort of an extended family. What makes Benefis Sletten Cancer Institute an outstanding place for patients to receive treatment? After living and working in various locations around the country, I can say without question that Sletten Cancer Institute is one of the most comprehensive cancer centers I've seen. We are fortunate to provide not only medical and radiation oncology services under one roof, but also genetic counseling, naturopathy, and numerous support services for cancer patients and their families. Maybe even more importantly, every member of the care team is compassionate and dedicated to providing the best possible care. Where do you find the strength to be such a rock for people when they are fighting for their lives? As a native Montanan, I've come to know the uncertainty of life. We expect the unexpected with our ever-changing climate and learn to take adversity in stride. We have never been a group to take the easy roads, knowing well the hardship that may lie ahead. I think this mentality serves us all well when facing an illness like cancer. I focus on the healing I have witnessed during my time in medicine and look to my faith for strength. It is one of the great privileges of my life to be a part of my patients' journey through illness and recovery. A tradition of advanced care. Learn more at Benefis.org

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