About Tina Kocher Listening is a key part of Tina Kocher’s job. Her interest in health care can be traced back to her high school days when she worked as a nursing assistant in a nursing home. “One of the nurses spent time teaching me about how a career in medicine could impact people’s lives,” she recalls.  For 14 years, she worked as a registered nurse then went back to school and continued her education. She earned her undergraduate degree from IPFW Fort Wayne (Indiana) and her master’s from Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, Indiana. With this background, she brings the advantage of hands-on care and a deep understanding of the daily struggles patients endure. In simple terms, what Tina does is work with patients with advanced illness to improve their quality of life through symptom management and setting goals of care. She chose the specialty of palliative medicine in part because of the experience she had when her mother was treated for cancer. “At the time, her symptoms were not well managed until we found an experienced family practice doctor who helped her manage side effects from chemotherapy and disease progression,” she says. “Managing her symptoms markedly improved her quality of life. Once her disease progressed, hospice was remarkable with their support for her and my family.” Tina’s career has given her a variety of experiences in areas including: medical oncology, palliative care, hospitalist, and community health. She also spent time in leadership as an executive director, regional consultant, and manager. Tina’s philosophy as a provider is to first seek to understand the person she is serving. She spends time with patients and their families to learn what symptoms are keeping them from living a more active life and then helps them learn how to manage those symptoms. “One of the most powerful tools is to listen and seek to understand,” she says. “Every person has their own idea of what dealing with a chronic, incurable disease entails. I help them learn to manage and live with their disease.” In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  I have been very fortunate to have several people be mentors at different points in my life – family members, patients, colleagues.  What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  My first job was babysitting in the neighborhood. I enjoyed getting to spend time playing games with the children.  What is your favorite food? Movie?  My favorite thing to eat is fresh summer vegetables out of the garden.  My favorite movie is Patch Adams.  What were your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  My best subjects were science and music.  My worst subjects were French and history.  If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  My grandfather. He lived through the Depression and many changes in the world. He always loved to have fun.  In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, interests?  I’m passionate about learning. My hobbies are landscaping, reading and cooking. Do you have pets?  I have a dog named Arthur, and a cat, Smokey.