Chandler nurse helps make multiple sclerosis manageable

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

At one point during her health journey, Chandler resident Erin Kienlen thought she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

As it turned out, Kienlen was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That was about 20 years ago — near the start of Kienlen’s medical career — before she found ways to not only deal with her own symptoms and conditions, but also to be of service to more recently diagnosed patients.

“The fatigue is one of the roughest parts,” Keinlen said about having MS. “Planning helps, but some days, there are things that can’t be helped.”

In March — Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month — Kienlen had been a patient navigator for almost three years with Banner Health and had been a registered nurse for about eight years. Her role with Banner is where she has opportunities to help walk newly diagnosed MS patients with some of the many frightening aspects of symptoms and treatment.

“I’m fortunate doctors allow me a lot of autonomy, and to help where I’m needed,” Kienlen said regarding her role with Banner’s Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center.

Kienlen said her job entails many aspects of care that aren’t hands-on, such as listening, understanding and recommending resources offered by Valley agencies.

“The Multiple Sclerosis Association has such amazing resources,” Kienlen said of one of many groups that get referrals from her.

Kienlen said unlike doctors, who are often on strict schedules and whose consults with patients might be brief, she’s able to spend an hour or two or more with patients.

“As long as they need,” she said. “Whatever it takes to help them navigate.”

Kienlen said a great deal of the job involves education, explaining aspects of how MS manifests, what can and/or is likely to happen and how treatment works.

Kienlen said other times when patients tend to need extra support and guidance is right before discharge from and inpatient hospital stay and when they experience a surge of MS attacks or flare-ups of symptoms.

“I just do what I can to keep them as healthy and safe as possible,” she said. “Social supports — whatever they need.”

She said she comes from a family of doctors and was pursuing becoming one herself. Her diagnosis made nursing a more practical alternative career.

Kienlen said while no treatments are effective on 100% of patients and there are some negative outcomes, it’s the success stories that keep Kienlen engaged.

Kienlen said she recently saw a patient that she worked with early on in her tenure as a navigator, who’s “doing better now.”

“That’s the best part of the job — seeing where many patients are at now, knowing where they started,” she said.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.   Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.