Heart and Soul of Oncology Navigation

To close out this 3-part series, Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS (Knowledge + Research + Advocacy = Survivorship) Kickers, Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a lung nurse navigator at Northwest Community Hospital, and Claudia Miller, RN, ONC, ONN-CG, a thoracic oncology nurse navigator at Hollings Cancer Center, will explore the CEACAM 5 biomarker, clinical trial recruitment strategies deployed by navigators, and the role that shared decision-making has on patient outcomes throughout their treatment. Thank you to our sponsor, Sanofi, for making this biomarker podcast series possible. 

In this second episode, Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS (Knowledge + Research + Advocacy = Survivorship) Kickers, Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a lung nurse navigator at Northwest Community Hospital, and Claudia Miller, RN, ONC, ONN-CG, a thoracic oncology nurse navigator at Hollings Cancer Center, discuss key considerations for patients in biomarkers from a navigator’s perspective and dive deeper into novel biomarkers, including what questions patients should be asking.Thank you to our sponsor, Sanofi, for making this biomarker podcast series possible.

In this first episode, Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS (Knowledge + Research + Advocacy = Survivorship) Kickers, Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a lung nurse navigator at Northwest Community Hospital, and Claudia Miller, RN, ONC, ONN-CG, a thoracic oncology nurse navigator at Hollings Cancer Center, examine the ever-evolving biomarker landscape and the critical role navigators play in ensuring timely testing, appropriate follow-up, and removal of barriers to care.Thank you to our sponsor, Sanofi, for making this podcast series possible.

In celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day, our participants will examine the survivorship phase of the cancer continuum including the role of the navigator in survivorship. Two myeloma survivors, Doug Keller and Maddie Hunter will discuss their survivorship journey including how they are giving back, the common struggles cancer survivors face after treatment, and the significance of surveillance in survivorship. Objectives:Explore what survivorship is and what it means to patients Describe common challenges cancer survivors face and how a navigator can address them Understand the importance of screening and surveillance in survivorship  Learn strategies in how best to support survivorship patients Faculty: Doug Keller Survivorship coach, myeloma survivor with Healthtree Foundation Doug is an 11-year multiple myeloma survivor. He went through two stem cell transplants and many other lines of therapy before having CAR-T and finally gaining remission in 2022. While living with myeloma he continued to work full time, travel, and stay physically active. Doug received a lot of support from others during his myeloma journey, and is paying this back by coaching new myeloma patients to help them understand the disease, how to talk to their doctors, and where to get support. He believes that access to information on the disease and having a positive attitude are key parts of successful survivorship.Maddie HunterSurvivorship coach, myeloma survivor with Healthtree Foundation  Maddie has been living with Myeloma since 2001. Her serial remissions have enabled her to raise her son into adulthood, fall in love, build and then retire from her consulting and leadership business, travel the world, welcome 3 grandchildren and lead the Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group. Myeloma has not deterred her from having a full life. She believes it has opened her eyes to possibilities she would not have recognized had she not had this tough diagnosis. Maddie coaches individuals who are seeking to find ways to cope with a Myeloma diagnosis and finds deep pleasure in supporting patients to discover their new “normal”. Resources:HealthTreeOncolinkInternational Myeloma Foundation | IMF | Multiple Myeloma InformationASCO Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Care Plans

Clinical Trial Committee members Mary Salazar and Lilliana Larsson discuss clinical trials in oncology, the importance of increasing diversity representation,  and the impact it has on the future of oncology medicine.Objectives:Examine the lack of diversity in clinical trials and the effect is has on oncology careUnderstand the role of the clinical trial navigator and the impact navigation has on increasing diversity in the clinical trial spaceExplore navigation strategies to improve health equity in clinical trials Identify reputable clinical trial resources for navigators to utilize in practiceFaculty:Mary Salazar DNP, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, Director of Oncology Patient ExperienceAdult Nurse Practitioner, Medical Oncology with UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center , SalazarM5@uthscsa.eduLiliana Larsson MSN, RN, OCN, CCRP, TTS Oncology Nurse Navigator with MD Anderson, Houston, TX,  lklarsson@MDAnderson.orgResource: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/Committee Link: https://aonnonline.org/committees/clinical-trials-committee

Clinical Trial Committee members Mary Salazar and Lilliana Larsson discuss clinical trials in oncology, the importance of increasing diversity representation,  and the impact it has on the future of oncology medicine.Objectives:Examine the lack of diversity in clinical trials and the effect is has on oncology careUnderstand the role of the clinical trial navigator and the impact navigation has on increasing diversity in the clinical trial spaceExplore navigation strategies to improve health equity in clinical trials Identify reputable clinical trial resources for navigators to utilize in practiceFaculty:Mary Salazar DNP, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, Director of Oncology Patient ExperienceAdult Nurse Practitioner, Medical Oncology with UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center , SalazarM5@uthscsa.eduLiliana Larsson MSN, RN, OCN, CCRP, TTS Oncology Nurse Navigator with MD Anderson, Houston, TX,  lklarsson@MDAnderson.orgResource: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/Committee Link: https://aonnonline.org/committees/clinical-trials-committee

BOLD Mentorship participants, Peg Rummel and Amie Booth share their experience, insights, and lessons learned from their time in the AONN+ Bold Mentorship Academy as well as dive into some AONN+ professional development opportunities in 2023.  Objectives: The listener will be able toIdentify the role of mentorship in navigation profession and benefits of mentorshipUnderstand the reciprocal relationship between mentor/menteeExplore professional growth best practices gained from mentorshipFaculty: Peg Rummel (Mentor), Amie Booth (Mentee)

Considering the year end is approaching, AONN + hopes to demonstrate our appreciation for navigators with an emphasis on celebrating the role of the navigator. We hope to encourage and inspire you as you listen to your navigation colleagues share their personal and professional experiences.Objectives:Listeners will:Reflect on why they became a navigatorLearn how patient experiences have molded themIdentify ways navigators may care for themselves while working within the field of oncology

In this session participants, will explore the value of the role of the oncology navigator within the multidisciplinary healthcare setting. Gleaning knowledge from experienced navigators flourishing in their multidisciplinary healthcare settings, listeners will explore best practices and communication tools essential for enhancing their navigation role amongst the oncology healthcare team.

In this episode, Linda Burhansstipanov, MSPH, DrPH, OPN-CGSM, president of Native American Cancer Initiatives, Inc. (NACI), shares her insights on navigating disparate populations, with a focus on the indigenous communities in the United States.

In this episode, Marsha Clements, RN, MSN/Ed, PhD, OCN, executive director of an oncology service line in New Hampshire, and Andrea (Andi) Dwyer, director of the Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) at University of Colorado Cancer Center, share insights on developing sustainable oncology navigation programs that provide values to healthcare administrators, patients, and providers.

In this episode, Perspectives on Certification: Physician, Nurse, and Patient Navigator AONN+ Foundation for Learning Director of Certification Lisa Hartman and a group of experts discuss the value of oncology navigator certification from the perspectives of physicians, patient navigators, nurse navigators, and healthcare administrators. 

In this episode, AONN+ leaders Emily Gentry and Monica Dean have a hearty discussion on self-love and share some “lessons learned” for oncology navigators to manage stress and anxiety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, from loving yourself, movement, mindfulness, meditation and breathwork, and adequate sleep, to healthy diet and hydration.

Research can be done at many levels and take different forms, but it can be challenging to know where to begin and how to find collaborators and funders. In this podcast, Lisa Hartman, Director of Certification, AONN+ Foundation for Learning, Inc., leads a discussion with 2 seasoned researchers who share practical advice and suggest strategies for success for navigators who wish to embark on their own projects. Read more about this episode on AONNonline.org.

In this episode, Monica Dean, AONN+ Director of Patient Navigation Programs, is joined by Cancer Support Community’s Susan Ash-Lee, MSW, LCSW, Vice President, Clinical Services and Education, and Kelly Hendershot, LGSW, LMSW, LSW, Senior Director, Institute for Excellence in Psychosocial Care, to discuss the emotional responses experienced by patients and caregivers during cancer treatment and beyond.Read more about this episode on AONNonline.org.

In this episode, Kendra Barber, MHA, BSN, RN, OCN, and Mary Buffington, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, discuss leadership, teamwork, and collaboration among oncology multidisciplinary care teams. Read more about this episode on AONNonline.org.

In this episode, Emily Gentry, BSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, OCN is joined by Janine E. Guglielmino, MA, Vice President, Mission Delivery, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, and Jasmine Souers, Co-Founder, Chief Visionary Officer, For the Breast of Us to discuss Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s recently conducted needs assessment of young women with breast cancer. Read more about this episode on AONNonline.org.

In this episode, AONN+ FFL Director of Certification Lisa Hartman is joined by Sarah H. Kagan, PhD, RN, AOCN, APRN-BC, FAAN, FGSA, and Lora Rhodes, MSW, LSW to highlight the challenges of older patient populations in oncology and ageism in the healthcare system.This special Heart and Soul of Oncology Navigation podcast episode is sponsored by Genentech.Read more about this episode on AONNonline.org.

In this episode, Cindy Barnard, RN, BSN, OCN, CBCN, and Zilipah Cruz, MSN-RN, discuss the challenges faced by tumor boards during the pandemic, and forecast the future of case conferences and virtual tumor boards.This special Heart and Soul of Oncology Navigation podcast episode is sponsored by Genentech. Read more about this episode on AONNonline.org.

Monica Dean, Director of Patient Navigation Program Development at AONN+, speaks with Sharon Frances, breast cancer survivor and Co-Founder of Well Beings Studio, and Melinda Bachini, who was diagnosed with stage IV cholangiocarcinoma and now serves as the Director of Advocacy at the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. Sharon and Melinda are both previous nominees of the CONQUER: the patient voice Hero of Hope™ Patient Award. This special Heart and Soul of Oncology Navigation podcast episode is sponsored by Genentech.Read more about this episode on AONNonline.org.