About the Beneficiary
Every September, Pedaling for Payson raises funds for Nurse Navigation. What does this really mean? How does it impact patients and their families at the Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care? Keep reading to find out!
Nurse Navigation is typically described as a point of contact for a patient, coordinating all aspects of their treatment. Last week, staff from Pedaling for Payson spoke with two former patients who benefited from nurse navigation.
Meet Jillian and Kim, our Oncology nurse navigators at the Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care. Jillian serves patients with head and neck, esophageal, and anal-rectal cancers, while Kim treats patients with lung cancers. Combined, Jillian and Kim treat 100+ patients each year, many of whom come from the Lakes region and even more north. However, their reach is much larger. In 2023, both Kim and Jillian have had over 2,100 encounters - or touch points with patients and/or their cases. Sometimes this means coordinating a doctor's office or working directly with a patient. These encounters, and the relationship built between the nurse navigators and patients, make it possible for those with cancer to focus on their treatment and on top of their health.
Meet Catherine Hastings, a former patient of Jillian’s who received treatment last year. Catherine had comorbidities in addition to her cancer, which made her case complicated. There were many times that Peter, Catherine’s husband, needed to make phone calls to multiple doctor’s offices because of Catherine’s particular case. After meeting with Jillian, it was clear very quickly that she would be able to navigate Catherine’s care and facilitate coordination between all of her doctor’s offices.
“I called Jillian one day when Catherine was really sick and explained that she needed to be seen but was not in a position to wait eleven plus hours in the Emergency Room. Jillian worked with the providers and staff in the hospital to direct admit Catherine into a room on the oncology floor and ensure she got the medical attention she needed. She even coordinated with one of Catherine’s providers to have her check in with Catherine while she was in the hospital.” –Peter Hastings
For Peter, as the primary caregiver, he found that Jillian always went above and beyond. They noted that Jillian has navigated every difficult situation in a short amount of time and continued to keep track of Catherine’s progress and care.
The role of a nurse navigator closes the gap and provides a better experience for someone who is going through a difficult time with cancer. They help to eliminate barriers and make the communication seamless, as if everyone on a care team works in one department. The relationships that nurse navigators build with patients are unique. During treatment, patients build trust with their nurse navigator and have the ability to ask questions at any time, when needed.
“Jillian does anything she can do to help. She is there truly for the health and well-being of patients.” - Peter and Catherine Hastings
Bev Cotton: "They were there for me during and even after my treatment."
Last week, Bev was gracious enough to share her story on Lakes 101.5 Good News Story of the Day. Take a listen and hear her story!
Nurse Navigation on Lakes 101.5
Bev was diagnosed with Neck Cancer in 2016/2017 and had a difficult treatment regimen. She benefited from a nurse navigator during her treatment, and beyond her treatment when other health concerns came up.
"You don't know what that journey is like until your on it." - Bev C., Former Patient, Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care
