Kristen Rutherford

At Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, I provide palliative care services that help patients and families establish goals of care, understand treatment options and prognosis, and navigate serious illness.

I facilitate patient, family, physician, and interdisciplinary team meetings; support advance medical directives; and coordinate disposition planning and resources aligned with each patient’s goals. I also use clinical triage to streamline access to palliative care services and optimize caseload efficiency.

My nursing background includes critical care, ICU, stepdown, medical-surgical care, hospice, home health, behavioral health, and care for older adults. I established a Palliative Care/Bridge program at Medi Home Health and Hospice and have experience supporting patients and families through end-of-life decisions.

Earlier in my career, I supervised nursing care, managed healthcare and community-service programs, and coordinated services for youth, seniors, and residential communities. I bring a holistic, education-focused approach to patient care, collaboration, and care coordination.