Putnam County Hospital
Cancer Center
To Make an Appointment Call 765-301-7510
PRIMARY SPECIALTY
Medical Oncology
SECONDARY SPECIALTIES
Hematology
PHYSICIAN TYPE
Franciscan Physician Network
BOARD CERTIFICATION
- American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology
- American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
- American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Oncology manager
Kayla McDermit, MSN, RN, serves as the Oncology Services Manager for the Outpatient Cancer Center at Putnam County Hospital. A master’s-prepared registered nurse with 15 years of experience in healthcare, Kayla provides leadership focused on delivering compassionate, high-quality cancer care close to home.
A lifelong resident of Putnam County, Kayla is deeply committed to serving the community she calls home. She believes exceptional oncology care begins at the very start of a patient’s journey and extends beyond medical treatment to include attention to patient wishes, comfort, spiritual well-being, and emotional support, alongside evidence-based clinical care.
In her leadership role, Kayla is dedicated to fostering a highly skilled and knowledgeable nursing team through ongoing education and professional development, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care in an outpatient setting. She is also passionate about increasing community awareness of the comprehensive cancer services available locally, helping patients access care without having to travel far from family and support systems.
Outside of work, Kayla is married to her husband, George, and they live on a small cattle farm in Putnam County. She is a proud mother of two children who are actively involved in South Putnam Youth Baseball, Putnam County 4-H, and South Putnam FFA, reflecting her strong ties to community and family life.
Through her professional leadership and community involvement, Kayla remains committed to ensuring patients receive compassionate, high-quality cancer care close to home, supported by a dedicated and well-prepared healthcare team.
Nurse Navigator
Kaleigh Carrico is our dedicated Oncology Nurse Navigator at Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center, where she has been a valued member of the oncology department for the past two years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in 2021, and brings a wealth of experience to her role, having worked as a nurse for four years.
Prior to her nursing career, Kaleigh served in the Army National Guard as a Military Police officer for eight years, demonstrating her commitment to service and leadership. She also spent a decade in customer service, honing her communication skills and ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life.
As a mother of three active kids, Kaleigh understands the importance of family and community. Her children are involved in a variety of activities, including racing dirt bikes, baseball, wrestling, travel basketball, and travel baseball and football, as well as 4H and FFA. When she’s not at the cancer center, she enjoys camping at races and cherishes quality time with her family and friends, especially during the summer months.
Kaleigh’s goal as an Oncology Nurse Navigator is to create lasting relationships with patients and their families, fostering trust and confidence in the care they receive at PCH Cancer Center. She strives to ensure that every patient feels welcomed and cared for, transforming what can be a daunting experience into one where they feel supported and valued. With a compassionate heart and a commitment to making a difference, Kaleigh is dedicated to brightening the days of those navigating uncertain and challenging times in their cancer journey.
Her mission is to ensure that every patient who walks through the doors of PCH Cancer Center leaves with a sense of hope and a familiar face to count on during their treatment process.
Elizabeth Kujala, MSN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner – Oncology / Hematology
Elizabeth Kujala is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with Franciscan Health, bringing compassionate, patient-centered care to those navigating cancer and blood disorders. Originally from Livonia, Michigan, Elizabeth has called Indianapolis home since 2022. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Detroit-Mercy in 2010. She began her healthcare journey as a Registered Nurse, gaining 10 years of diverse clinical experience at leading institutions including Stanford Health, Michigan Medicine, and Henry Ford Health.
In 2019, Elizabeth earned her Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) from the University of Michigan–Flint. After graduation, she practiced as a Nurse Practitioner in a hematology/oncology office in Michigan, where she developed a strong foundation in cancer care before joining Franciscan Health in the summer of 2022.
As a provider, Elizabeth’s goal is to ensure that every patient feels cared for, supported, and truly seen throughout their care journey. Her clinical expertise is grounded in evidence-based practice, thoughtful communication, and a deep commitment to patient advocacy.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys cheering on Detroit sports teams, trying new recipes, traveling the world, playing pickleball, and spending quality time with friends, family, and her dog, Bill.
Putnam County Hospital offers a peaceful setting for patients who are undergoing cancer treatments. Our cancer center has heat and massage chairs in individual infusion bays that are adjacent to the nursing stations and three private examination rooms. We provide a comprehensive plan with holistic care that meets the medical, spiritual, and emotional needs of our clients. The most up-to-date treatment is delivered from physicians and medical professionals who know and care about our patients and their families.
Dr. Sameer Ahmed, a physician with Franciscan Physician Network, joined the Cancer Center in 2015. Dr. Ahmed sees patients at the Cancer Center on Mondays and Thursdays.
The Cancer Center is staffed by Registered Nurses who have been oncology trained. Continued education concerning cancer, the most up-to-date treatments, and symptom management is important to us. Registered nurses are oncology-certified through the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), a national organization. Active membership in the local Illiana Chapter of ONS allows the nursing staff to attend monthly meetings to discuss new and current treatments.
The Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation is renewed every three years by adhering to stringent guidelines that ensure our clients receive the best care possible. Our first review was conducted in 1988. This accreditation sets forth standards of care that are reviewed and implemented by the Putnam County Hospital Cancer Committee each year to improve patient services.
In compliance with the accreditation process and to continue growth, our hospital physicians, surgeons, radiologists and oncology staff meet regularly for professional development and discussion regarding trends for our particular area.
In 2018, the Putnam County Hospital (PCH) Cancer Center along with partner, Franciscan Health, established a plan to bring the best possible Cancer and Hematologic Care to our local residents. One of our goals is to provide the education and tools to help our community members prevent or find cancer at its earliest stages when it can be more easily treated. Cancer screenings and prevention events are held each year to focus on different types of cancer. Previous events have focused on breast cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer. CoC quality initiatives, goals, and barriers to care are discussed with plans for improvement implemented yearly.
Almost every person has either been affected by cancer or has a loved one or friend who has been touched by it. In our fight against cancer, we want our local residents to be armed with the best defense to prevent or find cancer as soon as possible. Here at the Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center, we use the most up-to-date treatment strategies recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education, that is dedicated to providing evidence-based guidelines for cancer treatment. Our partnership with St. Francis Franciscan Health has increased our access to many specialties and services that enhance our patient care.
We would like to thank the physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, clinics, St. Francis Franciscan Health, and the entire PCH staff for their support and dedication to our Cancer Center and Outreach Programs. Another big thank you goes to the individuals, businesses, organizations, and churches who have so generously donated hand-made and bought items, financial contributions, their personal time, and helped in any way so that we can make a difference in the lives of local residents and those who are battling cancer.
Patient Testimonials
Cancer Center Manager
Angie Davis, BSN, RN, OCN has been a registered nurse since 1996 and an oncology nurse since 2004. She has been an oncology certified nurse since 2010. She has a passion for oncology and hematology patients. She looks forward to continuing oncology nursing education and being an active member with the Illiana Oncology Nursing Society as she has held the office of president in 2010 and 2022. Angie has been to the Oncology Nursing Society headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a member of a focus group for biosimilars and to the National Oncology Nursing Society Congress in 2022. She is a board member on the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association.