TLC - Key Persons
Abbie Mahnken joined the staff at the Fitzgibbon Community Cancer Center in December 2017. She received her BS in Health Science with an emphasis in Radiography in 2016 from the University of Missouri. She received her certification in Radiation Therapy in 2017 after furthering her education at Washburn University.
"In 2011, I was in a serious one-car accident that resulted in me being ejected 40 feet. I had to be life-flighted to Truman Medical Center," said Mahnken. "The CT technologist made a lasting impact when he cared for me. I wanted to care for others as that technologist cared for me.
"During the radiography program, I rotated through radiation therapy and decided I wanted to become a Radiation Therapist. In this field, I am more than just a therapist. I get to aid patients in their fight against cancer, build lifetime relationships, be a smiling face and, more importantly, provide a shoulder to lean on during this time. I strive to make a sure they know they are not alone during their battle," said Mahnken.
"I think it's wonderful there is a cancer center in the Marshall community because we are able to provide quality care to patients without them having to travel such a far distance to receive care. Patients are able to continue to work and spend more time home than having to travel a great distance every day to receive their radiation treatments," said Mahnken.
Heather Bourbon joined the staff at the Fitzgibbon Community Cancer Center a month before the grand opening, in September 2009. Bourbon received her bachelor's degree in healthcare management from Washburn University in Topeka and later pursued radiation therapy.
"I didn't choose Radiation Therapy as a career; I am pretty sure it chose me. After high school I went to radiology technology school, and part of our education included clinical training in the different radiology modalities," said Bourbon. "When it came time for my radiation therapy rotation, I tried to get out of it; I did not want to do radiation therapy. I thought it would be too sad/heartbreaking taking care of cancer patients. I knew nothing about it or cancer and didn't want to."
Heidi Leimkuehler has worked for Fitzgibbon Community Cancer Center twice, with her first stint being January 2010 to August 2015. Leimkuehler re-joined the staff in November 2017. She received her associate's degree in nursing at Moberly Area Community College in 2008 and her B.S. in nursing from the University of Missouri in 2011.
"I chose cancer care due to my passion for others and the continuation of care. Being able to be there for patients during a very challenging part of their lives can be very rewarding. The Fitzgibbon Community Cancer Center is such an asset to our community. We have patients who travel over an hour to get here because of the quality of care we provide. We have great physicians who provide compassionate care to our patients," said Leimkuehler.
Jennifer Elliott, one of the newest Fitzgibbon Community Cancer Center staff, joined the organization in May of 2017. Elliott received her degree from the Moberly Area Community College.
"I chose to transfer to the Cancer Center so that I could treat and care for a different community of patients. I had been in my previous position for approximately nine years and felt as though I needed a change in the type of patients I was caring for," said Elliott.
Makenzie Thomason has been the warm presence behind the glass at the Fitzgibbon Community Cancer Center since it opened. Thomason took the lead in creating many of the Pink Out T-shirts we have seen through the years, as well as coordinating many of the community events. She actually coordinated T-shirt sales for the very first Pink Week activities in 2008.
"I didn't exactly choose cancer care. I was working in Scheduling/Radiology at the hospital before the Cancer Center opened. I was offered the opportunity to work in the Cancer Center as the Office Coordinator, and I accepted the position," said Thomason.