Advocacy for Cancer Care: Dr. Yelena Kier’s Inspiring Work

Published on Oct. 20, 2025
Dr. Yelena Kier

For the past decade, oncologist Yelena Kier, DO, has devoted herself to caring for cancer patients—so when she saw an opportunity to support them beyond treatment, she took action. 

Last September, this passionate provider and patient advocate helped launch a pilot program called IGNITE, which stands for: 

  • Integrate movement
  • Guide nutrition
  • Navigate goals
  • Implement sleep
  • Tackle stressors
  • Empower community

The goal? To help cancer survivors thrive in life after treatment, such as chemotherapy. 

“Life after chemo doesn’t go back to the way it was before. You are living this other life—one you didn’t want to lead—and we as a medical community need to better recognize those challenges and educate on ways to move forward," shares Dr. Kier. "A lot of patients told me they felt that they lacked a sense of community and belonging post active treatment." 

Kier believed an initiative like IGNITE could help change their experience. 

"Patients often hear from others, 'Well, you just move on and go back to your life.’ I think it’s impossible to return to your previous life after a cancer diagnosis. You live a new life, and I think that new life needs a little navigation and a little adjustment. And that’s what we’re here to hopefully help provide.” 

From its inception, IGNITE offered 12 weeks of free education, support, and resources. Guest speakers covered essential recovery topics such as physical therapy, emotional health, behavioral health, sexual health, and nutrition. After a successful first run, IGNITE has operated quarterly, with both in person and online options. To date, 30 participants have completed the program, and alumni are invited to attend a monthly IGNITE Master’s Group for continued support. 

Participants also complete voluntary surveys at the beginning and end of the program. Dr. Kier and her team hope to use this data to inform future research—research that could not only improve survivorship programming at Munson but across other healthcare systems. 

Dr. Kier's commitment to cancer education and advocacy extends beyond her work at Cowell Family Cancer Center. Her policy-shaping efforts are helping to ensure access to high-quality cancer care in Northern Michigan and beyond. As a result of her ongoing efforts, Dr. Kier was selected as one of the Association for Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) 2024 Advocacy Champions earlier this year.    

“ASCO’s Advocacy Champions make up an extremely dedicated group of healthcare providers and researchers that go beyond the day-to-day work by advocating for patients,” says ASCO’s Government Relations Committee Chair Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA. “Collaborating with policymakers helps create an environment that allows us to provide the best quality of care and research possible to all people with cancer.” 

Dr. Kier also serves on the board of Michigan Society of Clinical Oncology (MSHO) and is president of its foundation. 

Munson Healthcare is proud to recognize Dr. Kier’s unwavering dedication to cancer care for patients in our region and across the country. 

Learn more about cancer care at Munson Healthcare, including our Cowell Family Cancer Center and all of its unique offerings. 

Learn More About Munson’s Cancer Care

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