Harnessing Time to Achieve Our Goals

Dear Navigators, Social Workers, Administrators, and Clinical Staff,

As 2018 comes to a close, I marvel at how quickly time passes. Yet, I am simultaneously filled with a sense of pride at how much we have accomplished in this past year. Through the work of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) as well as this journal, we have made strides in furthering the cause of navigation to include:

• Establishing partnerships and alliances with the Biden Cancer Initiative, Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Leadership Council, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Astellas, Us TOO, the Commission on Cancer, the National Navigation Roundtable, the National Lung Cancer Roundtable, and the Midwest Cancer Alliance
• Creating an AONN+ Policy Committee to utilize legislative, regulatory, and policy advocacy to protect and promote the practice of oncology patient navigation
• Receiving a record number of original research abstract submissions for our Annual Conference poster presentation
• Hosting the largest AONN+ Annual Conference in our history
• Publishing more original research articles, offering CEU-accredited activities, and hosting more webinars and regional meetings than ever before

I am tremendously gratified by this progress because I know it translates into better care for patients. Removing barriers to care has the enormous power of enabling us to best serve individuals and families impacted by cancer.

I would like to challenge us all to imagine ourselves 1 year from now. What would it take for you to look back at a year well spent? What personal and professional accomplishments would it include? Perhaps becoming a member of an AONN+ committee, submitting a research paper, or attending the Annual Conference? I would encourage you to harness the time of 2019 that promises to pass quickly and set your goals for the betterment of your career, our profession, and, of course, the care you provide patients.

My best to you for a wonderful and fulfilling 2019.

Sincerely,

Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS

University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer; Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Co-Developer of Work Stride: Managing Cancer at Work, Johns Hopkins Healthcare Solutions; Program Director and Co-Founder of AONN+.
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