Cancer
MedWest Health System has a range of Cancer Services to offer Western North Carolina. Board Certified radiologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists are available locally. A variety of other healthcare professionals including registered dietitians, certified lymphedema specialists, physical therapists, behavioral therapists, and others are available to cancer patients.
Our innovative
Nurse Navigator program matches those diagnosed with breast cancer with a nurse navigator that walks them step by step throughout the cancer treatment process.
We also have access to local state-of-the-art radiation therapy facilities. This means treatment can be done close to home.
Our Breast Center at MedWest-Harris located in the Harris Medical Park co-locates the Nurse Navigator, two of our general surgery practices, digital mammography and our radiologists. This enables open communication and efficient care for those that may have something detected during the examination. At MedWest–Haywood, the navigator is located in the radiology department for quick access by mammography technologists / radiology nurses and radiologists.
Nurse Navigator Program
This innovative program matches breast care patient with one of MedWest's nurse navigators. Women coping with biopsy or a cancer diagnosis and treatment now have a unique set professional advocates on their healthcare team.
In November 2009, MedWest Health System Breast Care Nurse Navigator Johanna Dewees, B.S.N., began at MedWest-Haywood and joining her in January 2010 was Mary Mahon, RN at our MedWest-Harris /Swain facilities. These uniquely skilled nurses are helping support and guide breast cancer patients and their families throughout their course of medical treatment. These nurses know treatment options, resources, referral and support systems, etc. and assist the patient in navigating all aspects of their care.
They meet patients at the point of a biopsy recommendation and stay with the patient from the initial testing and diagnosis, continuing throughout the care and treatment process. Nurse Navigators assist with or coordinate patient appointments; provide educational materials for patient and family members; assess the medical, emotional and social needs of their patients; work to eliminate barriers to care and follow up with medical staff to monitor and track patient care.
Fellow professionals they work with include board-certified surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, plastic surgeons, registered mammography technologists, Ultrasound / MRI / CT and Nuclear Medicine technologists, certified lymphedema specialists, registered dieticians, and behavioral health therapists.
Any patient with a Breast issue can contact a Navigator for assistance.
To contact a MedWest Nurse Navigator use the information provided below:
MedWest-Haywood
Johanna R. Dewees, BSN
828-452-8100
or Toll free: 877-677-8101
Johanna.dewees@haymed.org
MedWest-Harris/Swain
Mary Mahon, RN
828-631-8100
or Toll free: 877-677-8101
Mary_mahon@westcare.org