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High Risk & Cancer Genetics Oncology Katie Viola, RN, BSN, CGRA

About / Overview

Katie Viola is a registered nurse who specializes in breast health. She resides in Cleveland, TN, and has lived in the Chattanooga area all her life. Katie began her nursing career as an emergency nurse in 2013 but she always felt her calling was to a more patient-centered role. She joined Erlanger in 2017, taking on the role of an Oncology Patient Navigator. When the Breast Health Navigator role opened up in 2018, Katie felt drawn to it. She had lost her Mother-in-law to breast cancer in 2003 and it impacted her and her family greatly. That experience has motivated her to make sure that no woman or their family has to face this disease feeling confused or alone. She strives to ensure all women are given the best knowledge about breast health and the resources available to them. Katie is available to all patients with breast health needs – from general questions about breast health to the evaluation of high-risk factors or helping those diagnosed with breast cancer to navigate their diagnosis; she is honored to be a part of a patient's care team. 

Katie also manages the Erlanger Well Woman Program, which provides no-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured and low-income women. Since the program began in 2018, hundreds of women in the Chattanooga area have been able to receive services through the program. 

Additionally, Katie has been a part of the development of the Erlanger High Risk and Cancer Genetics Program. Identifying those at high risk for breast cancer, and ensuring they are aware of their options for prevention has become a life goal for Katie. It is her hope that, until prevention for breast cancer is found, all women are able to have early detection and swift treatment and that no woman loses their fight with breast cancer. 

Katie attended Cleveland State Community College and graduated with an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2013. She continued her education, graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016. She completed the Intensive Course in Genomic Cancer Risk Assessment through the City of Hope in 2019.  She then obtained her certification in Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment through the National Consortium of Breast Centers in 2021. 

When Katie is not working, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with their daughter. She is creative and enjoys all things crafting related. She also loves animals and plants, though she has not quite yet developed her "green thumb."

Education / Credentials

  • Intensive Course in Genomic Cancer Risk Assessment City of Hope National Medical Center - Duarte, California
  • Bachelor of Science - Nursing East Tennessee State University - Johnson City, TN
  • Associate of Science - Nursing Cleveland State Community College - Cleveland, TN
  • Cancer Genetics Risk Assessment (CGRA) National Consortium of Breast Centers - Warsaw, IN

Clinical Interests

  • Genetics, Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator