Breast Care Navigator
When someone diagnosed with breast cancer comes to Karmanos Cancer Institute, they will receive exceptional care from our entire team. Our Patient Navigator Program features a dedicated registered oncology nurse who works to guide patients through the health care system, ensuring they receive seamless, coordinated care, along with any other necessary support services. The patient navigator is a constant, a familiar face that is always there to answer questions, reinforce patient education, ease anxiety and eliminate any barriers that might impede care. What's more, the patient navigator will communicate with the primary care physician, ensuring they receive up-to-date information about their patients' progress.
Specifically, the patient navigator seeks to:
- Address your questions and concerns
- Link you to resources regarding insurance and payment assistance
- Refer you to transportation services, if needed
- Direct you to further health care services
- Identify helpful local resources and support services
- Help you track appointments
- Act as a resource for helpful health care information for you and your family
Subsidiary Breast Navigator Programs
McLaren Clarkston / McLaren Oakland
Cancer can be concerning, even overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it by yourself. From diagnosis to cure, you need to know that we have a dedicated breast health nurse navigator at McLaren Oakland who is here for you as an advocate and resource throughout all channels of care, making sure you receive timely, appropriate and seamless cancer treatment.
Our breast health nurse navigator's goal is to guide patients through the health care system, ensuring they receive coordinated care, along with any other necessary support services. The breast health nurse navigator is a constant familiar face that is always there to answer questions, reinforce patient education, ease anxiety and eliminate any barriers that might impede care. What's more, they will communicate with your primary care physician, ensuring they receive up-to-date information about your progress.
For more information on the McLaren Clarkston/Oakland navigation services, please call (248) 922-6810.
McLaren Flint
Hannah Ardelean, BSN, RN, OCN is the Women’s Health Nurse Navigator for breast and gynecology at McLaren Flint, Karmanos Cancer Institute.
The Nurse Navigator is someone who can help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment, and cancer care. Hannah works directly with patients affected by breast cancer and gynecologic cancers. As the Women’s Health Nurse Navigator, Hannah addresses barriers to timely and appropriate cancer treatment. Working directly with you, Hannah helps address and support your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Her goal is to help support you, and offer you resources that may be available to you, from diagnosis into survivorship. Helping you better understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and plan of care, Hannah will guide you through your cancer journey with personalized care and support.
For more information on the McLaren Flint Karmanos Cancer Institute navigation services, please call (810)342-4848.
McLaren Greater Lansing
Sarah Lersch, RN
Phone: (517) 975-6432
Email: kathy.olsen@mclaren.org
For more information on the McLaren Greater Lansing navigation services, please call (517) 975-6432.
McLaren Northern Michigan
The Nurse Navigator program at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Northern Michigan, first established in 2013, has expanded to include all cancer patients in need with individual training and experience specific to a patient's cancer origin - breast, lung, head/neck are examples. Nurse navigators are experienced, specially-trained oncology care professionals who serve as patient guides and advocate through each phase of the continuum of care.
The Role of the Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator
- Develop patient and family relationships with emotional support and encouragement
- Help patients and families understand diagnosis and treatment options
- Empower patients to make informed medical decisions
- Assist in planning and management of individual treatment plans for seamless and efficient care
- Enhance communication with full medical team
- Advocate and serve as a knowledgeable and committed professional
- Help patients and families understand and manage treatment side effects.
- Assist with post-mastectomy care, consultation, and support including:
- Prosthetics and wigs
- Comfort kits - softee camisoles and Heal in Comfort recovery shirts
- Lymphedema prevention and treatment
- Screen for hereditary 'red flags' and assist with referrals to genetic counselor as appropriate
- Transitional support and survivorship programs
- Coordinate relevant community and health-related services such as:
- Oncology Dietitian
- Financial Assistance
- Transportation Assistance
- Support Groups
- Community Programs
Our Breast Cancer Nurse Navigator program is affiliated with:
McLaren Port Huron
Cancer can be concerning, even overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it by yourself. From diagnosis to cure, you need to know that we have a dedicated breast health nurse navigator at McLaren Port Huron who is here for you as an advocate and resource throughout all channels of care, making sure you receive timely, appropriate and seamless cancer treatment.
Our breast health nurse navigator is Julie Dickinson, BSN, OCN.
Our breast health nurse navigator's goal is to guide patients through the health care system, ensuring they receive coordinated care, along with any other necessary support services. She is a constant familiar face that is always there to answer questions, reinforce patient education, ease anxiety and eliminate any barriers that might impede care. What's more, she will communicate with your primary care physician, ensuring they receive up-to-date information about your progress.
For more information on the McLaren Port Huron navigation services, please call (810) 989-3788.