Growing up on the south side of Indianapolis, in the community of Greenwood, Indiana, Kathleen Soller spent her childhood surrounded by open fields, a big yard, and plenty of room to explore. Her family lived on 1.5 acres bordered by cornfields, and some of her favorite memories come from simple adventures close to home—catching crawdads in the creek or placing pennies on the nearby railroad tracks to see them flattened by passing trains. With her brother and sister by her side, she found there was always something to discover.
As she got older, sports became a huge part of her life. Kathleen played just about everything through the Indianapolis CYO, but kickball quickly became her favorite. (Real teams, real games, real competition!) Those years taught her teamwork, resilience, and how to stay active, lessons she still carries with her today.
Kathleen always imagined herself becoming a teacher. But during high school, her life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with lymphoma. She received treatment at a children’s hospital in Indianapolis, where she met nurses who changed everything for her. Their compassion, skill, and steady presence during a frightening time inspired her to pursue nursing instead. She still feels grateful for the way they guided her toward a career that has become deeply meaningful.
College, New Cities, and a Calling
Kathleen attended Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana, where she worked with children in different roles. One of the families she babysat had a daughter who received care at Cincinnati Children’s, and they encouraged her to apply for a job there. After graduating, she moved to Bellevue, Kentucky, with her best friend, who is a medical student at the University of Cincinnati.
She soon began working nights at the Transitional Care Center (TCC) at Cincinnati Children’s, spending three years learning, growing, and caring for patients and families. Today, she’s an RNII in Anesthesia Imaging (a department that works closely with our Radiology MRI division), excited for the next chapter and grateful for the opportunities she’s already had.
Life Outside the Hospital
When she’s not working, Kathleen loves being outdoors. She has spent a lot of time camping and hiking out west, exploring national parks and wide-open landscapes. She’s also a creative person—whether she’s making personalized birthday cards or crocheting small Christmas gifts, crafting is one of her favorite ways to unwind.
Running isn’t always her favorite activity, but she still does it; she’s currently training for her fourth half marathon. She also enjoys reading and is working her way through all of Emily Henry’s books. Recently, she watched the movie Eternity and highly recommends it.
From childhood days spent in cornfields to caring for children in a major hospital, Kathleen’s journey has been shaped by resilience, curiosity, and compassion. Her experiences—both joyful and challenging—have led her to a career she loves. And as she continues to grow in Anesthesia Imaging, she’s excited to see where the future takes her.
Glenn Miñano is a media specialist in the Department of Radiology, providing graphic design, photography, printing, video services, and administration of the department’s online properties. His works have been published in several medical articles, such as the American Journal of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound. He has been providing these services to the Radiology Department since 1996.
Meredith Towbin is a freelance copy editor and writer. She has copyedited the Department of Radiology’s blog since it launched. She also works as a copy editor for the home improvement website BobVila.com. Her writing has been featured on HuffPost as well as other writing sites.
