Spring, 2013 - Hartford Hospital!
Spring, 2013 - Hartford Hospital!
Spring, 2013 - Hartford Hospital!
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Nurse Navigators lead the way<br />
Your guides to the world of cancer care at the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center<br />
Experienced nurses help patients<br />
navigate the difficult passages of<br />
cancer care. A nurse navigator can<br />
offer lifesaving advice to those who<br />
are suddenly confronted by a new<br />
cancer diagnosis or daunting treatment<br />
choices.<br />
“My nurse navigator, Marlene, was<br />
very concerned about me and gave<br />
me helpful hints for managing the<br />
side effects of chemotherapy,” said<br />
a patient we’ll call Collette, who was<br />
recently diagnosed with a gastrointestinal<br />
stromal tumor (GIST). “She<br />
came to see me in the hospital. It’s<br />
a great idea to have someone as a<br />
resource who can offer not only reassurance,<br />
but also practical help.”<br />
“Karen Cudworth leads a team of<br />
five cancer nurse navigators,” said<br />
Andrew Salner, M.D., director of<br />
<strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>’s Helen & Harry<br />
Gray Cancer Center. “<strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong> is one of only<br />
21 hospitals nationwide to be named a National Cancer<br />
Institute Community Cancer Center, which will help to assist,<br />
educate and better treat the needs of patients, including<br />
those from underserved populations.”<br />
The Cancer Center recently added an American Cancer<br />
Society patient navigator who helps newly diagnosed patients<br />
with rides, information and other resources, as well<br />
as navigation for those with abnormal screening tests<br />
who need access to specialists for diagnosis.<br />
“Our nurse navigators are your guides,” said Dr. Salner.<br />
“They can answer your pressing questions right away, help<br />
coordinate your care, refer you to the appropriate cancer<br />
support staff and resources and<br />
even book timely appointments<br />
with your specialists. After treatment,<br />
our Patient Survivorship<br />
navigation programs ease the<br />
transition from active cancer care<br />
to lifelong wellness.”<br />
Nurse navigators have transformed<br />
cancer care for many<br />
patients. In 1990, Harold Freeman,<br />
M.D., pioneered the concept of<br />
nurse navigation in New York’s<br />
Harlem <strong>Hospital</strong> to help local<br />
residents navigate the complex<br />
world of medicine and health<br />
care, according to oncologist<br />
Mohanakrishnan Menon, M.D.<br />
“Here at <strong>Hartford</strong> <strong>Hospital</strong>, the<br />
care of cancer patients involves<br />
doctors from multiple specialties,”<br />
added Dr. Menon. “Nurse navigators<br />
play an important role in coordinating<br />
this care. They enable communication between the<br />
patients and their care providers and facilitate transfer of<br />
information between the providers as well.”<br />
For more information, call 860.545.6000 or visit www.harthosp.<br />
org/cancer.<br />
Nurse navigators at the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center include,<br />
from left, Barbara Gaughan, R.N. (Thoracic and Hematology); Paige<br />
Woodruff (Breast Care); Karen Cudworth, R.N., M.S.N. (Manager and<br />
Cancer Connect nurse); Erin Williams, R.N., B.S.N. (Neurology, Head &<br />
Neck, and Melanoma/Skin cancer); Marlene Silvis, R.N., M.P.H., OCN,<br />
CHPN (GI cancer); and (not shown) Susanne Brown, R.N. (Gynecologic<br />
& Genitourinary); Deb Walker, APRN (Survivorship Program) and Mary<br />
Ann Vanderjagt (American Cancer Society Patient Navigator).