Striver Spotlight: Meet Kristie Doan, RN 

Kristie Doan, RN, knows what it takes to care for patients with complex medical needs. She brings nearly three decades of nursing experience to her role at Strive Health, where she uses her compassion and dedication to help people living with kidney disease navigate their care. 

“I’ve been a nurse for 28 years,” Kristie shares. “I started in the ER, moved into case management and now I’ve been with Strive for a year. This is some of the most meaningful work I’ve done.” 

Beyond the clinical side of the work, the opportunity to care for the whole person through Strive’s interdisciplinary care model is what drew Kristie to the Kidney Heroes® team.  

“I love the health coaching and education aspect of what I do,” she says. “Diet, movement and lifestyle are all part of the bigger picture. And with this patient population, those things really matter.” 

Supporting Patients Through Complexity 

Kristie knows kidney disease can be overwhelming, especially when patients are managing multiple health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. 

“That’s where our dedicated care team comes in,” she explains. “Traditional healthcare often isn’t set up to fully support patients with complex needs. At Strive, we fill in those gaps.”  

Each care plan is tailored to the patient’s unique needs and evolves as those needs change. “The key is building a relationship,” she says. “When patients feel heard and supported, they’re more likely to stay on track.” 

Strive Is a Resource for All Patients 

Kristie often works with patients who feel like they’re too far off track or who aren’t sure if they need extra support. To those people, she offers a simple but powerful message: 

“It’s never too late. We can start where you are.” 

Kristie encourages patients to think of Strive as a resource, not an obligation. “Some patients say, ‘I already have doctors, I don’t need anything else.’ And I say, that’s great but things can change. When they do, we’ll be here.” 

Small Steps, Big Impact 

For patients who are feeling overwhelmed, Kristie recommends starting with small, manageable changes. 

“See your doctor regularly, take your medication and make better food choices. It doesn’t have to be everything at once,” she suggests. “Even small shifts in diet or activity can make a big difference.” 

Kristie recalls a patient who recently called to share that her blood pressure was improving. “That one call made my day. Those moments show us that even small wins matter.” 

Strive’s Kidney Heroes® Put Patients First 

When asked what message she would want to leave her patients with, Kristie’s answer is heartfelt and clear: 

“We really are here to help. We’re not just calling to check a box or make an appointment; we’re here to improve your health, and by extension, your life. Whether you need a lot of support or just a little, we’re your advocates. You don’t have to do this alone.” 

Find patient resources, including kidney disease education and healthy recipes, online at StriveHealth.com/Resources/.