Teresa Kennis - August 2015 Employee of the Month

Teresa Kennis, RN, charge nurse in the Radiation Oncology Department at Hahne Regional Cancer Center, is Employee of the Month at Penn Highlands DuBois for August 2015.

Teresa is responsible for direct patient care. She is a caregiver and provides patient education. She helps patients with side effect management and works with quality improvement initiatives at the hospital.

A native of DuBois, Teresa attended St. Catherine Elementary School, Central Catholic High School and graduated from Curwensville Area High School. She is also a graduate of the Philipsburg State General Hospital Nursing program.

She worked at DuBois Hospital from 1973-75 when she left to be married, raise her four children and helping her husband, Greg run the family dairy farm.

Teresa returned to the hospital in January 1989 as a staff nurse on the Third Floor. She began her current position in November 1993. She has certifications in both oncology and radiation.

“Caring for oncology patients is both challenging and rewarding for me,” Teresa said. “Helping those having radiation treatment in managing their side effects, both physical and emotional, is my favorite part of the job. The patients learn from participating in their care, and I learn from my patients how to have hope and endurance in spite of adversity just as they live day to day. The patient is always number one for me.”

“Teresa is a valued employee to our department and organization,” Laura Adams, director of Hahne Regional Cancer Center, said. “She takes great pride in her nursing role and responsibilities to our patients and medical staff.”

“Teresa consistently puts the patient first in all encounters—reflecting a true patient advocate and representative of superb customer service,” Laura said. “Teresa is highly skilled in patient education teaching methods. With her oncology experience she is able to provide education to both the patient and their caregivers in a calming manner allowing them to understand their treatment plans. We at HRCC are honored to work alongside of Teresa.”

“Being in Radiation Oncology is a challenge for anyone,” Teresa said. “However, I have been blessed with having the best team to work within our department and have had ongoing supporting through many trying times. I’m proud to be a part of the team.”


Teresa currently lives in DuBois with her husband. They have four children and 11 grandchildren: Lucas, and Cathy (Kennis ) Crawford, and grandchildren: Nathan, Morgan and Erin Crawford; Bruce, and Lisa (Kennis) Miller of Pittsburgh and grandchildren: Megan Boboige, Justin Miller and Cameron Miller; Greg and Rachel (Kuntz) Kennis, and grandchildren: Tyson, Audrey, Claire and Regan Kennis; and Julia Kennis, and grandson, Carter Vos.

Teresa is a member of Holy Trinity Byzantine Catholic Church in Sykesville and a member of its choir and social committee. She is active in America Needs Fatima and DuBois Area Life Chain programs. She enjoys golfing, cooking/baking and helping her husband and son with the family owned golf course. And of course, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and very large extended family.