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An Advocate for Navigation ONEIDA HEALTHCARE'S NURSE navigator helps patients, primary care providers and specialists navigate the often-com- plicated path that cancer care requires. "It's helpful when one person focuses on the coordination of care so that no details fall through the cracks," says Suzy Burns, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator at Oneida Health Cancer Care. "Part of my job is to make sure that information flows between all the parties involved." Burns serves as a single point of contact for patients and can help them find resources to overcome barriers to care, such as transportation issues or financial burdens. If patients have questions regarding treatment, she reaches out or directs them to the proper providers and specialists for answers. "I also serve as a liaison for physi- cians, especially referring physicians," Burns says. "I can arrange appoint- ments and other particulars to expedite the referral process and make things easier for providers both within and outside of Oneida Healthcare and Roswell Park." In some cases, those recommendations include enrolling patients in early phase clinical trials for individuals who have exhausted other treatment options. CLINICAL TRIALS AND SURVIVORSHIP The Early-Phase Clinical Trials Program at R os wel l Pa rk g ive s pat ient s t he opportunity to try new treatment method- ologies as early as possible, o„ering hope in situations where previous treatments have failed. The program is one of the largest in the state of New York and o„ers options for patients at ever y phase of the cancer journey — whether they are newly diagnosed, in active treatment, in remission or facing recurrence. After an initial visit to Roswell Park, eligible patients can participate in new cl i n ica l resea rch st ud ies at Oneida Healthcare without the need for regular extended commutes to Bu„a lo. Some patients have a lready beg un ta k i ng advantage of the Early-Phase Clinical Trials Program, and more are expected to enroll in trials as the program is built out. With patients living longer thanks to expanded cancer therapy options, there is a growing need for programs that address the short- and long-term complications of oncologic treatment, such as neuropathy, toxicity to internal organs and emotional health challenges. "Many of these patients require special- ized follow-up care," Dr. Schwaab says. "That's why we created the Survivorship and Supportive Care Center, where we develop long-term persona lized ca re plans for patients." Once patients seen through this col- laborative program finish receiving their cancer treatments, Roswell Park contin- ues communicating with their providers to make sure information is shared with everyone involved in the patients' care. Local counseling, therapy and support groups offered through Roswell Park give guidance to patients who have lived through cancer. STAFFED WITH CARE The new equipment, technology and ser- vices made available by the partnership between Oneida Healthcare and Roswell Park are exciting enhancements to local care. However, the true driving force of the program is the oncolog y team, who exhibit expertise and a devotion to quality at every stage of care. The same quality metrics used to evaluate care at Roswell Park are used to monitor and assess the care provided in Oneida, and the program's nurses obtain special advanced oncology certifications from the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation. "In addition to the Roswell Park physi- cians, our sta„ from Oneida have extensive oncology backgrounds with many years of knowledge and expertise," Walz says. " We've a lso completed a n additiona l credentia ling a nd eva luation process through Roswell Park." Roswell Park and Oneida Healthcare encourage local residents and physicians to "spend a day" examining the program before making final decisions regarding cancer care. Even if patients ultimately receive care elsewhere, physicians from Roswell Pa rk a re available to consult with outside providers to collaborate on treatment plans. For more information about cancer care in Oneida, visit oneidahealthcare.org/ cancercare. ■ Suzy Burns, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, helps patients, primary care providers and specialists navigate the complex path of cancer care. 0 9 M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S C E N T R A L N Y 2 018