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Cancer Patient Navigators

 A patient navigator is an oncology nurse or social worker who specializes in working with patients diagnosed with cancer. The navigator is here to make sure you and your family have all the information you need to make the most informed and timely decisions about your treatment plan. The service is free and provided at many MaineHealth locations.

What services does the patient navigator provide?

As part of your health care team, the patient navigator will:

  • Ease your concerns and answer any questions you may have.
  • Explain the different treatment options for your cancer based on nationally and locally endorsed treatment guidelines.
  • Discuss any clinical trials that may be available to you.
  • Schedule consultations for you and your family with specialists as needed.
  • Provide information and literature relative to your specific diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.

Hospital directory of patient navigators 

Franklin Memorial Hospital

  • Ashley Stevenson, RN, Nurse Navigator, 207-779-2198 
  • Tammy White, BSN, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-779-2430

LincolnHealth Miles Campus 

  • Mikala Bousquet, MSW, LCSW, Oncology Patient Navigator, 207-373-2240

Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute

  • Gina Z. Blaszyk, BSN, RN, OCN, CHPN, Surgical Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-662-1951
  • Cassidy Calvert, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Thoracic Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-8255
  • Nicole Cantara, MSN, RN, Lower GI Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-294-5838
  • Sara Cox, BSN, RN, CNRN, Neuro Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-662-1539
  • Michelle Freers, BSN, RN, OCN, Thoracic Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-7465
  • Daniele Heatley, RN, BSN, CMSRN, Neuroscience Patient Navigator, 207-662-1112
  • Summer Knight, BSN, RN, Genitourinary Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-8055
  • Jennifer Novak, BSN, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-7344
  • Amber O'Leary, BSN, RN, OCN, Head and Neck Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-7452
  • Janessa Rich, BSN, RN, Surgical Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-662-2659
  • Snow Tardif, BSN, RN, Lung Screening Nurse Navigator, 207-396-8324
  • Caley Vasil, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-7891
  • Tina Wakefield, BSN, RN, Neuroscience Nurse Navigator, 207-662-2069
  • Tracy Watts, BSN, RN, OCN, Gynecology Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-8767

MaineGeneral Medical Center 

  • Nicole Brown, RN, OCN, ONN-CG (T) Head and Neck Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-621-6165
  • Donna Davis-Rankin, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-621-6162
  • Erica Lombardi, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-621-6162
  • Andréa Martelle, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, Genitourinary Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-621-6157
  • Kerri Medeiros, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, Gastrointestinal Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-621-6136
  • Kelly Hunter, RN, Lung Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-626-4865
  • Sacha Genest, RN, Breast and Gynecology Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-621-6125

Memorial Hospital

  • Amber O'Leary, BSN, RN, OCN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-396-7452
  • Bonnie Rothermel, MS, Oncology Patient Navigator, 603-356-4904 x2721

Mid Coast Hospital 

  • Mikala Bousquet, MSW, LCSW, Oncology Patient Navigator, 207-373-2240
  • Hailey Thacker, RN, BSN, ONN-CG, Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-373-4588

St. Mary's Regional Medical Center

  • Amy Marston, BSN, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-777-8518
  • Alice Staires, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-777-4419

Southern Maine Health Care 

  • Nicole Cantara, MSN, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-294-5838 
  • Julie Davis, BA, BSN, RN, Breast Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-294-5837
  • Susan Raposa, BSN, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-294-5846

Stephens Memorial Hospital 

  • Stephanie Leblond, LSW, Patient Navigator, 207-744-6174
  • Jeanne Rosato, RN, BSN, OCN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-744-6173

Waldo County General Hospital 

  • Kevin Murphy, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, 207-505-4522

Patient navigation supports patients and families to ensure timely access to diagnostic and cancer care services throughout the Maine Health System. The overall purpose is to assist the patient and family with ongoing support, advocacy, education, resources, and informed decision making as they move through the various phases of cancer care.  Professional patient navigator’s may vary in their credentials and scope of practice but generally include nurses and social workers.

Essential components of Patient Navigators spell out the word "ASPIRE," using the first letter of each sentence, to describe the role and services:

Actively engages in one or all phases of patient care from screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care and/or end of life.

Screen for psychosocial needs and refer as needed.

Provide education about disease and treatment including clinical trials and genetics.

Identify and resolve barriers that inhibit timely access to care.

Responsive: facilitating communication and collaboration with the health care team.

Ensure the right care will be provided in the right location as close to home as possible.