ROHLEDER
For three years, the cancer nurse navigator position at the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA) has been vacant. In January, Courtney Rohleder, who has worked for two years as a licensed practical nurse at the clinic, took over the vacant position, filling a void that has been felt among cancer patients who have had to go it alone.
Courtney Rohleder recently received her associate’s degree as a registered nurse and was excited to take on the challenge of helping cancer patients in the community through their disease.
Ideally, the cancer nurse navigator would begin working with patients the second they find out they have cancer in order to help them through the tough emotional and physical hardships they will inevitably experience, and get them into treatment as soon as possible.
Currently, Courtney Rohleder is working with 12 patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer. She accompanies them to their outside oncologist and radiologist appointments, and is working to connect them with the various cancer resources in the community.
“I help patients navigate through the complicated health care system,” Courtney Rohleder said. “A large part of our population is going through their diagnosis on their own. That can be very overwhelming.”
As a cancer nurse navigator, Courtney Rohleder will also have a strong focus on cancer screenings and prevention to make sure patients who are at risk for cancer do not fall through the cracks and are diagnosed early.
“A lot of times people are diagnosed with cancer at a late stage, and it doesn’t turn out well,” she said.
Reminding patients to get their regular mammograms, prostate check-ups and colonoscopies will be one aspect of her position as the one-month-old program gets rolling.
She will also monitor and track patients who have abnormal test results, to make sure they are back in the office early and often for follow-ups.
“We need to keep an eye on abnormal results, and re-evaluate them,” she said. “I will be bridging the communication gap between providers, and keep the communication going between the clinic and outside oncologists and radiologists.”
As Courtney Rohleder continues to get her feet wet in her new position, she said she plans to implement more advocacy and awareness events in the future as well.
She will be sharing information on the cancer nurse navigator services and cancer resources during the Elders Wellness Day at the PTHA clinic Feb. 25.
