Patient Navigation
A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and for many, having comprehensive information and answers to questions is the first step in moving beyond diagnosis to treatment. Often, just knowing what to expect during hospitalization and throughout home recovery can make the journey a little easier.
Baptist Health Deaconess Patient Navigation Program assists the patient and family from diagnosis, and through their cancer journey. Sometimes, even before a final cancer diagnosis.
Patient navigators are active members of your healthcare team to assist with a full range of support services and can be a convenient, single point of contact between the entire care team. Their knowledge and special training in oncology and patient management make them an integral member of your care from diagnosis through survivorship.
Our patient navigation team includes:
Nurse Navigators
Nurse Navigators are specially trained and certified to help you and your caregivers and are there with you to help you in a time that can be so overwhelming and confusing. Their goals are to:
- Ensure you have the information you need to actively participate in your own care, empowering you to make informed decisions
- Educate you and your family about your diagnosis and treatment plan
- Coordinate your care with your medical team
- Enhance your communication with your care team
- Ensure your questions are answered and any care and health concerns are successfully resolved
- Advocate for you and serve as a medically knowledgeable friend who is committed to helping you through your cancer journey
Ashley Allen, RN, TTS
Nurse Navigator for Lung, Head, and Neck cancers,
Trained Tobacco Specialist
Heather Tow, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG
Certified Nurse Navigator for Breast, Colon, and other cancers
Oncology Social Worker
A licensed certified social worker helps patients not only emotionally and mentally but provides key resources to those who may have barriers to receiving their cancer care. This often includes issues with:
- Transportation barriers
- Homelessness or housing insecurities
- Food insecurities
- Practical concerns and many others
Judy Blue, LCSW
Oncology Social Worker
Financial Navigation
"Financial toxicity" in cancer treatment refers to the significant financial burden and distress experienced by a patient and caregiver due to the high costs associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment, including out-of-pocket expenses, lost income from work disruption, and potential debt accumulation, which can negatively impact their quality of life and ability to access necessary care; essentially, the negative financial consequences of cancer treatment.
The last thing newly diagnosed cancer patients want to worry about is the expense of treatment. However, it is often first. Our team recognizes those needs and helps patients to find ways to lessen financial burden, using a multitude of resources. This may include help with things such as:
- Filling out financial assistance forms
- Referral to the Wellfund, which is an on-site program to assist patients with finding insurance
- Referral to the pharmacy care coordination team
Kaytlen Dame
Financial Navigator
Pharmacy Care Coordination
A pharmacist and pharmacy care coordinator assist the oncologists to help manage patients who are prescribed cancer treatment by mouth.
This team also works closely with the patient navigation team to identify patients who may need treatment, but do not have insurance, or their insurance does not cover cancer treatments, to get assistance with these extremely expensive medications.