Join us in celebrating a remarkable milestone—15 years of AONN+! For a decade and a half, AONN+ has been at the forefront of advancing navigation in oncology care, bringing together professionals who are passionate about improving patient outcomes. Let us honor the journey, the accomplishments, and the collective impact we have made in shaping the future of oncology navigation. Here is to many more years of growth, collaboration, and innovation!
Submitting your work is a great opportunity to share your research and evaluation outcomes and to add to the growing body of evidence-based findings for navigation’s professional practice. It is our pleasure to present the 2024 Exceptional Research in Navigation Award winners!
Abstract title: Cancer Screening Navigation REDCap Submitted by: Austin Matt-Beal, Med; Margo Leighliter, MHA, BSN, RN, OCN
Abstract title: Impact of Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Patient Navigation on Oncofertility Support Submitted by: Emily Copus, MSW, OPN-CG; Caleb Evington, LCSW; Abbie Mauney, CHES; Carla Strom, MLA
Abstract title: Enhancing Sarcoma Care: Integrating Patient Navigation Into a Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Clinic at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) Submitted by: Silpi Sinha Ray; Atrayee Basu Mallick, MD; Jackie Miller; Valerie Csik
Abstract title: Reducing Breast Cancer–Related Distress and Barriers to Care Through Susan G. Komen’s Telehealth Patient Navigation Model Submitted by: Toni Lee, MHAc; Julie McMahon, MPH; Kristin Scheeler, MSSW, CAPSW, OSW-C; Shelby Lautner, PhD; Janet Okamoto, PhD
Abstract title: Navigation Ambassadors: Using the Oncology Navigation Standards of Practice and Navigation Metrics Toolkit to Measure Impact and Delineate Roles Submitted by: Sabrena A. Fulkerson, BSN, RN; Kristal Vaughan, RN; Deborah Carey, CSW, OSW-C
Abstract title: Laying the Foundation: Building a Comprehensive Early Detection Lung Cancer Program for the Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) System Submitted by: Rochelle Waddell, RN
Abstract title: Clearing the Path: A Novel Approach to Overcoming Financial Barriers Through Enhanced Patient Support Submitted by: Janice Finder, RN, MSN; Cathleen Hernandez Vita, BSN, RN; Ashlyn Florack, BS; Denise Sanchez, MHA, MBA; Morgan Nestingen, PhD, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, OCN, ONN-CG
Abstract title: Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment for Young Adults Submitted by: Devon Choltus, MPH; Erica Fortune, PhD
A CATCH is a navigation success story where a navigation tactic improved a patient’s situation. The CATCH Initiative, short for Catching & Addressing Threats to Care & Health, tracks and acknowledges positive outcomes of navigation tactics. This year we are celebrating 2 winners—one being a patient navigator and the other a nurse navigator.
Congratulations to Ladoya Mayfield, CHW, MS, DrPHc, oncology patient navigator with Susan G. Komen. Ms Mayfield identified and alleviated several barriers to care during a distress screening assessment, including suicidal ideations for a single mom with breast cancer.
The patient navigator met with a 47-year-old African American single mom undergoing treatment for her breast cancer. The patient was found to have multiple challenges and barriers to care, including financial insecurity, homelessness, lack of insurance, and suicidal ideations.
Recognizing the severity of potential harm, Ms Mayfield promptly connected the patient with a helpline clinical supervisor, collaborated with a local suicide organization, and provided supplementary de-escalation resources. Simultaneously, efforts were made to expedite insurance coverage, and to provide mental health support and housing resources to address the multitude of barriers to the care of the patient.
Through Ms Mayfield’s proactive interventions, this patient was able to secure insurance approval decreasing the financial burden, housing, and cancer-related distress, as well as suicide support.
This CATCH demonstrates the value and impact of navigation on patient outcomes not only clinically but mentally as well. Treating the patient holistically and advocating for their needs are essential to the role of navigation, which Ms Mayfield efficiently demonstrated with compassion.
Read more about this CATCH and how Ms Mayfield went above and beyond as an oncology patient navigator.
Congratulations to Kathy Henrichsen, BSN, RN, gynecological nurse navigator with St. Mark’s Hospital, Utah. Through a routine follow-up, Ms Henrichsen recognized miscommunication among multidisciplinary team members affecting the patient’s treatment plan.
During a routine postoperative touchpoint for a patient with uterine cancer, the patient shared with the nurse navigator that she had an appointment that same week to see a surgeon for her breast cancer diagnosis.
Once confirming that neither the uterine cancer care team nor the breast cancer care team knew about the dual cancers, Ms Henrichsen immediately facilitated a connection between the care teams. Once the teams were able to share information, the patient’s treatment plan was altered. This case was presented and discussed at the institution’s tumor board, opening the door for a multidisciplinary discussion about the situation.
This CATCH effectively highlights the significance of a multidisciplinary approach to care and the importance of communication among multidisciplinary team members. Navigators can bridge those gaps in communication and confirm everyone is clear on the patient’s diagnosis and medical history, which can then lead to better outcomes.
Read more about this CATCH and how Ms Henrichsen enhanced the care of this patient and others with her proactive approach.
This award recognizes an AONN+ member’s dedicated ambassadorship of the Academy’s core values to oncology patients, their families, and professional communities.
Congratulations to Julie McMahon, MPH, Director of Community Health Programs at Susan G. Komen.
Ms McMahon serves on national navigation committees and continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction and operational leadership of her company’s patient navigation programming. Her dedication to establishing a nationwide navigation training program has not only strengthened the competencies of navigators across the country but has also ensured that patients receive the highest quality of care and support. Ms McMahon’s work exemplifies a profound understanding of the challenges faced by oncology patients, and she consistently goes above and beyond to address these challenges.
This award acknowledges employers who recognize and support oncology navigation and was presented to 2 organizations this year.
The first is Brain Tumor Network, a nonprofit organization that provides free, high-touch navigation support for patients and their caregivers diagnosed with a primary brain tumor. This group employs patient, nurse, and social work navigators. They are not tied to any medical institution or pharmaceutical industry, which enables them to provide equitable care by breaking down barriers so that patients from all over the country can receive care from institutions that may offer more suitable options for a patient based on their diagnosis, pathology, interest in a clinical trial, and their individual psychosocial needs. They have navigated 3000- plus patients throughout all 50 states.
The second is Levine Cancer Institute, a part of Atrium Health, which has more than 25 locations across the region, making it the largest cancer care program in the Carolinas; it employs 38 nurse navigators across 12 sites. The team consists of both disease-specific and general nurse navigators. On average, their team sees 500 new patients and has over 5000 total patient contacts per month. They have collaborated with the Biden Administration and the Moonshot Initiative to streamline reimbursement for navigation services to continue to help sustain and expand navigation programs nationally. Navigators from the system have submitted abstracts to AONN+, presented at the conferences, served on national committees, and participated in disease-specific focus groups.
Congratulations to the Brain Tumor Network and Levine Cancer Institute!
This award recognizes a local navigator network’s outstanding effort in the establishment of a forum for professional development and networking that aligns with the Academy’s mission.
Congratulations to the Northwest Navigator Network, Portland Chapter!
This Northwest Navigator Network has offered 32 meetings since its inception in 2021. The membership list includes navigators from 21 healthcare centers providing cancer services across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. Their primary meeting forum is virtual to promote the maximum participation from members across the region as many live in rural areas, but they have convened 4 in-person meetings. They also established a Virtual Community Resource Fair in 2022 and continue it annually.
To expand on this virtual outreach, they are partnering with the Arizona Local Navigator Network and ThriveNV Oncology Patient Navigation Network to offer a presentation titled “Recognizing and Addressing Disparities in American Indian & Alaska Natives in Cancer Care.” They consistently provide links to AONN+ resources and events in their meeting minutes and follow-up emails, and encourage members to advance their nursing practice and expertise by becoming oncology certified and hold study groups. Furthermore, their members have participated in every AONN+ conference, in-person or virtually, since the network’s inception.
This award recognizes an AONN+ member for their career achievements and outstanding contributions to cancer care.
Congratulations to Linda Burhansstipanov, MSPH, DrPH, a public health educator and researcher and member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.
The 2024 winner has over 125 peer-reviewed publications, most of which address Native American cancer, genetics, community-based participatory research, evaluation, patient navigation, survivorship, public health, and data issues. Who else has the nerve to ask people to “rip with vigor” when offering a draft copy of her work? Dr Burhansstipanov has served on more than 15 federal government advisory and 45 state and national boards/committees. She has also shared her talents with AONN+ in various roles of support over the past 10 years.
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