When a patient is recently diagnosed with cancer, it can be overwhelming for them. As Patient Navigation Manager, Colleen Beaver, RN, OCN is there to help patients and their families. Colleen’s principal role is to identify potential barriers to care, such as financial concerns, transportation to appointments, or other identified needs. She will meet with new patients, and refer them to the appropriate resources as needed. Colleen works as a liaison between the doctors, nurses, social work, dietitian, and other entities, and is a direct contact for patients and their families. She also tracks patient’s care through their treatment and into survivorship, making sure that patients are receiving the best possible care.
In addition to patient navigation, Colleen is also the coordinator for bi-weekly breast cancer conferences. At these meetings, a multidisciplinary team including physicians from medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, and surgery meet to discuss our breast cancer cases. This can often expedite care for our patients.
“When I came to the Cancer Center over 11 years ago, I was hesitant as I thought it might be sad. But I have found this to be the most rewarding nursing experience in my career. Our patients are wonderful, and it’s nice to see them feel at home in the cancer center. We get to know our patients, often over years, and they know us.”
Colleen would recommend that anyone diagnosed with breast cancer consider Shore Cancer Center.
“We’re local, we’re a member of the Penn Cancer Network, and we have medical oncology and radiation oncology in the same building. Our doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants and service representatives are excellent. We all work together to provide the best care possible. Our patients come first, always.”
