After more than four decades of dedication, compassion, and service, we are honored to celebrate the remarkable career of Kim French, as she begins her well-earned retirement.
“I have had an amazing journey as a nurse, and I will miss it. I am excited to retire, as I cannot wait to see what God has planned for me.”
Kim began her nursing journey in 1979, spending 25 years at BJC as a staff nurse. Her early years were spent primarily in medical-surgical care, followed by six years as a pheresis nurse, during which she pursued her BSN at Saint Louis University. After completing her degree, Kim served as an oncology nurse coordinator, caring for patients with breast cancer and later supporting fellows clinics, where she worked closely with patients facing various cancers. She also collaborated with Drs. Lee Ratner and Benjamin Tan in the care of patients living with HIV.
In 1999, Kim joined Washington University as a nurse coordinator for adults with sickle cell disease, a time before cell phones and electronic medical records, when pagers were the main line of communication and Dr. Blinder was the division’s sole sickle cell provider.
A pivotal moment in Kim’s career came in 2008, when the division encouraged her to return to school for her nurse practitioner degree, offering both support and inspiration. Though returning to school after many years was daunting, Kim embraced the challenge with her characteristic determination and grace, learning new technologies (and even what PowerPoint was!) with help from classmates and her colleague Kim Kramer.
In 2010, Kim became an Adult Nurse Practitioner, continuing her work with sickle cell patients in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Throughout her career, she has been a respected voice in the field participating in seminars and workshops with Novartis Pharmaceuticals and leading numerous educational sessions for nurses and physicians on the management of sickle cell disease.
Kim’s career has been marked by compassion, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to her patients. Her dedication has touched countless lives, and her legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.
Please join us in celebrating Kim French, a cherished colleague, mentor, and friend whose impact on our patients and our community will be felt for years to come.