Nurse: Elizabeth Krzywda
RN, MSN, APNP
Medical College of Wisconsin
Elizabeth Krzywda, nurse practitioner on the hepatic biliary pancreatic team in the division of Surgical Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, is on the front lines of patient care.
She frequently serves side-by-side with Dr. Douglas Evans, another Health Care Hero Winner, who is a pancreatic cancer surgeon and chairman of the Department of Surgery at MCW.
Her patients call Krzywda caring, compassionate, knowledgeable, and a source of strength and reassurance.
Despite her jam-packed schedule, she treats each and every patient as if they are her only concern, and she seamlessly manages all aspects of care.
“Beth does it all. She is a chemist with meds, a nutritional genius with diet and the most encouraging coach one could hope for,” said Maggy Schultz, a former patient at the Medical College of Wisconsin. “I always felt like I was Beth’s only patient, being wrapped in a blanket of expert care and deep compassion.”
Her patients are comforted by her professionalism and her caring commitment to making sure whatever can be done will be done, and in a kind and loving manner, Schultz added.
Krzywda is a published author and speaker, assisting on several journal articles on topics including nutrition support as it relates to specific disease diagnoses; patient education; and gastroenterology in critically ill patients.
She encourages her patients to remain involved in their care, to call and not be afraid to ask questions or report problems or concerns – large or small.
“Pre- and post-surgery appointments were made less frightening, less daunting and full of reassurance through simple interactions with Beth,” Schultz said. “No questions were ever silly, and no amount of questions were too many … She is an exceptional care provider who goes beyond the normal duties of a nurse. She is an advocate and an angel for this community.”
