Brentwood Home Page news reports
Williamson Medical Center breast health navigator Cary Ralph, R.N., recently joined an elite group of health care professionals when she earned certification in breast imaging and cancer care.

Only nine others in Tennessee and fewer than 500 nationally have received the certification, bestowed by the National Consortium of Breast Centers.

This certification program validates Ralph’s knowledge and skills in navigating breast patients through their breast care/cancer continuum of care.

“Cary’s choice to participate in this certification program shows her personal and professional commitment to providing quality care for patients at WMC’s Breast Health Center,” says Charity MacNicoll, R.N., B.S.N., WMC Oncology and Sixth Floor Nursing director.

Guiding a patient through the continuum of breast care or breast cancer care is a complex and highly individualized process. The complexity is significantly reduced with the assistance of an individual who is trained to navigate a patient through the processes of care. With WMC's breast health navigator, patients have an advocate, educator and partner at every stage in the breast health experience, and support and guidance continue for as long as needed.

With the navigator at the helm, the comprehensive care of WMC’s Breast Health Center also draws on expertise from multiple specialties — physicians, nurses and staff from Radiology, General Surgery, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pastoral Care, Occupational and Physical therapies, and Plastic Surgery.

WMC’s breast health navigator guides patients through interaction with each specialty and provides follow-up. In addition, patients are provided with education regarding diagnosis, treatment options and what to anticipate with each phase of testing and treatment. The navigator gives patients and their support systems the tools to intellectually, emotionally, spiritually and physically face breast disease.

For more information about the Breast Health Center at Williamson Medical Center, call 615.435.6733. To schedule a mammogram, call 615.435.5022. WMC's website is www.williamsonmedicalcenter.org.