Breast Health Navigator Team

Your Breast Health Navigator Team
at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center
at Martin Memorial Hospital
501 E. Osceola Street
Stuart, FL  34994
(772) 223-5945, Ext. 3774

Contact Us

        Andrea Schwerdt, RN, BSN, OCN 
        Breast Health Navigator
        (772) 223-5945 ext. 3774                                   
        email aschwerdt@mmhs-fla.org

        Kim Ouelette, MSW
        Clinical Oncology Social Worker
        email khumphreys@mmhs-fla.org
        (772) 223-5945 ext. 3719
 

Coping With Breast Cancer Can Be Frightening
For women diagnosed with breast cancer, learning how to cope with the disease can be an emotional, frightening experience with more questions than answers.

"Studies show that in the first four to six weeks at time of initial diagnosis, that fear and anxiety of the unknown and uncertainty exist," said Debbie Lewandowski, Director of Oncology Services at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Memorial.  "They never thought it would happen to them.  Then reality hits hard, having cancer and what to do next. No one should go through a diagnosis of cancer alone."

The Breast Health Navigator Team Can Help
Martin Memorial's Breast Health Navigator (BHN) program is designed to assist women who are at all stages of the disease:
*    Recently diagnosed
*    Living with breast cancer
*    Recurrence of disease

The program helps women cope with the anxiety of being diagnosed with cancer, provides information and resources, decreases barriers to services and seeks to expedite access to care.

The Team Approach Offers You:
*    Answers to questions
*    Information on insurance
*    Potential resources
*    Attempts to get patient access to services

The team approach works to provide these options as quickly as possible and patients are followed up on every few months for support and a progress contact.

Controlling Your Care

The Breast Health Navigator program is free.  It is funded by a yearly grant from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.  It officially opened in April 2005.  The BHN team consists of a registered nurse, a licensed clinical oncology social worker and a support network consisting of the services provided at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center and local agencies.  This helps you to feel more in control of your own care.

Breast Health Navigator Services

Our free services include:
*    Helping you learn about your cancer and its treatment
*    Finding resources and support
*    Guiding you through the healthcare system
*    Helping you speak with doctors and staff
*    Streamlining and scheduling appointments
*    Genetic Counseling for BRCA1 BRCA2 gene mutation
*    Survivorship

The Breast Health Navigator Program is funded through a grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation of South Florida.