At Duke Cancer Center, patients often come face to face with some of the most challenging moments of their lives. But for the past 15 years, there has been a steady, compassionate presence helping to guide them through it — Kathryn Sullivan RT(R)(T), Lead Radiation Therapist.

Kathryn began her journey at Duke Health in June 2009, but her calling started even earlier.

“I always wanted to work with cancer patients,” Kathryn said. “But I didn’t discover radiation therapy until I was in school for radiography. Once I did, it just felt right.”

That discovery launched a career dedicated not only to technical excellence but also to the emotional support of patients facing long and difficult treatments.
As a Lead Radiation Therapist, Kathryn’s day is a balance between administrative responsibilities and hands-on patient care. She leads a large team of therapists, and coordinates closely with physicians, physicists, planners, and nurses to ensure patients are scheduled smoothly for the start of their radiation treatment.

“I try to make things easier for the rest of the group,” Kathryn explains. “I miss being on a treatment machine full-time, but the flexibility of the lead role works well for me and my young family.”

Her career growth at Duke Health has been marked by continuous support to grew professionally — from climbing the clinical ladder to joining committees to leading fundraising and wellness initiatives.

Reflecting on her time in healthcare, Kathryn says she remains grounded in what brought her to her role in the first place: the chance to make a difference in someone’s life.

“Just knowing you can bring a smile to someone facing a tough cancer journey — that’s what’s rewarding,” she says. “We see patients daily, sometimes for up to six weeks, and you develop real relationships. I just want them to feel valued, like they have a voice and someone in their corner.”

404.