Cancer Nurse Navigators

Providing Help Along the Way

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is an emotionally charged and confusing time. In addition to the support and information provided by your physicians and family, Frye Regional Medical Center’s navigators are available for an added measure of encouragement, education and assistance.

About Patient Navigation

Cancer navigators are certified navigators who provide a holistic approach to help with a cancer patient's physical and emotional needs. Our cancer patient navigators will listen to the patient's needs and expectations, provide answers to questions, and guide patients through the care process – helping to coordinate and streamline treatment.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact our patient navigators today at 828.315.3596.

• • • Kathy Adams
    • Leah Albright
    • Angela Craig

One-on-One Support

Navigators bring comfort by being present, educating, advocating and helping the patient to understand how they need to move forward after diagnosis.

Cancer navigators offer one-on-one information and support, including:

• • • A referral, if needed, to support programs and resources in the broader community
    • Assistance in evaluating treatment options
    • Coordination of appointments with various physicians and therapists
    • Education about treatment, medications, side effects and recovery
    • Emotional support and guidance
    • Facilitation of communication between patients and care teams
    • Help for patients and families to understand your cancer diagnosis

Our cancer navigator program is confidential, and the program is offered free of charge.

Help to Recover

Navigators continue to help patients as they recover from cancer by empowering them to educate providers about their condition and how it may affect the type of care they receive. For example, a breast cancer patient can inform healthcare providers about lymph nodes that have been removed so blood pressure is not taken in the arm on that side of the body, preventing lymphedema. Navigators also educate patients about the screenings they need as they age.

What is a Cancer Nurse Navigator?

Cancer nurse navigators are patient advocates. Cancer patients have a very large care team. It’s very challenging to understand all that is involved. Nurse navigators offer one source of truth where patients can go to to ask questions and share their concerns. Nurse navigators are often called angels because they are there for patients throughout the ups and downs of treating cancer.

Cancer Survivorship

Cancer survivorship is improving every year with new treatments and research. As an accredited Cancer Center, we provide a treatment summary to patients when they finish treatment. This can be very emotional and meaningful for patients. They can get questions answered and learn about any additional steps they need to take moving forward.