Two nurses in Rome Health’s Breast Imaging Center of Excellence have earned the designation as certified breast health clinical navigators for their skill and competency to navigate patients through the breast patient’s cancer continuum of care.
As certified breast health clinical navigators, registered nurses Kelly Pietryka and Jennifer Shepherd assist patients in accessing care and navigating health care systems. They support patients through advocacy, education, coordination of care and continued assessment of barriers and needs.
With 28 years of nursing experience, Pietryka initially joined Rome Health in 2006 and the Women’s Breast Center at Rome Health in 2022 with an extensive nursing background in radiation oncology, medical oncology, plastic surgery and health coaching. She is also a board-certified nurse health coach which helps to enhance our patient’s health and wellness.
Shepherd joined the hospital in 2004 and has 22 years of nursing experience. She has extensive experience in all aspects of nursing in Medical Imaging from coordinating and assisting patients in all type of minimally invasive biopsies, and navigating radiology patients. This experience has helped guide the path for many of our imaging patients.
“Because of their experience, Kelly and Jennifer understand the healthcare system to help patients better understand each step of the process as they begin their journey to wellness,” said Medical Imaging Director Sharon M. Carson. “The ability to communicate to patients exactly what to expect when undergoing a procedure helps reduce anxiety, allowing them to become an informed and active participant in their treatment plan.”
Rome Health’s Breast Center is accredited by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence and participates in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers program, as evidence of its commitment to provide each patient with the highest quality of care.