Media Contact: Michael Schwartzberg, GBMC Media Relations Manager

(O): 443-849-2126/Cell: 410-258-3465eMarch 2:]

GBMC Adds Patient Navigator To Help Cancer Patients Through Their Journey

BALTIMORE, Md. –  June 29, 2007 – Therapeutic massages have helped Cynthia Teesdale of Ellicott City through her regimen of chemotherapy every week for three weeks at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2007, Teesdale has found Mindy Shifflett, an American Cancer Society Patient Navigator at GBMC, a valuable addition “to the already excellent care I receive from the infusion nurses and cancer doctors.”

For breast cancer patient Virginia South of Lutherville, Shifflett has helped coordinate contacts for nutrition, enrollment in the American Cancer Society’s Look Good Feel Better program, and a referral for social services. “I generally see Mindy during each of my treatments which are every three weeks,” said South.  “She spends a great deal of time talking with me; seeing how I am overall, what's new, if I have any new needs and always offers additional reference and resources.”

 “I believe the Patient Navigator Program is an excellent resource for individuals as well as family members or the people who accompany the patient to GBMC, to see a familiar face of someone who knows you and cares,” added South, who is the primary caregiver for her father while undergoing her cancer journey.

Colette Nichols of Overlea was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2004 and receives chemotherapy at GBMC.  “Each week Mindy stops by to check and see how things are going,” she said.  “We usually chat a bit and if I have any questions she either finds the answer or puts me in touch with someone who can answer them.”   Shifflett has helped secure information for Nichols about medical insurance and disability information, and also about catastrophic health planners to help with financial matters.

In March, GBMC became the first hospital in Baltimore County, and the third in metro Baltimore, to incorporate the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program to its Oncology Support Program.  Following an internship with the Society, Shifflett worked in cancer control, income development and as a cancer information specialist in the Cancer Resource Network before taking the position at GBMC.

Shifflett works under GBMC’s psychosocial ‘umbrella’, helping cancer patients find their way through what can sometimes be a complex maze.  Navigators typically assist cancer patients with finding information and resources that can help get them through their cancer experience -- such as arranging transportation to and from treatment, providing referrals to services like physical therapy or nutrition counseling, or finding information on financial assistance programs and answering questions about insurance coverage.  Navigators also offer personal companionship for cancer patients, helping them manage expectations during chemotherapy and radiation, and offer assistance allowing the patients to ensure a better quality of life.

“I hope to help patients find their way through the cancer journey,” said Shifflett.  “I am there to help them access available resources and support services to help them cope with their diagnosis.  I see how hard the patients are fighting and I consider it a real honor to be able to offer them some help as they make their way through treatment.”

The Patient Navigator Program, which the Society launched in 2005, currently operates in 60 sites across the United States, including 20 in the South Atlantic Division.  Navigators are full-time Society employees who go through rigorous training in collaboration with the American Cancer Society and the hospital partner.

Greater Baltimore Medical Center’s oncology program has been recognized three times by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” (2006, 2005, 2001) and last summer received a ‘Three-Year Approval With Commendation’ from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The GBMC Cancer Center is home to Maryland’s busiest community hospital oncology program with nearly 1,900 new cancer cases in 2006. GBMC’s Cancer Center also typically has more than 60 active research and treatment clinical trials at any one time.

Therapeutic massages have helped Cynthia Teesdale of Ellicott City through her regimen of chemotherapy every week for three weeks at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2007, Teesdale has found Mindy Shifflett, an American Cancer Society Patient Navigator at GBMC, a valuable addition “to the already excellent care I receive from the infusion nurses and cancer doctors.”

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