Nurse Navigators

Nurse Navigator, Mercy General Hospital 
Kelly is a strong patient advocate that believes all patients should receive quality care with compassion and humankindness. Prior to working as a nurse navigator, Kelly worked as a floor oncology nurse, med-surg telemetry nurse, radiation nurse and emergency medicine nurse. In 2012 she transitioned from floor nursing to case management where she worked in oncology, cardiac intervention and neurology. Kelly developed an interest in navigation after completing her master’s degree in case management, which increased her understanding of the importance of guiding patients across the continuum of care. As a nurse navigator she helps to provide quality care to patients by helping to remove barriers to care—such as health insurance, transportation and financial assistance information. Kelly provides education about diagnoses and emotional support as patients go through the continuum of care. Kelly advocates for an integrative approach to treating cancer patients to help guide them to complimentary therapies such as nutrition, support groups, yoga and other resources that optimize positive outcomes.

Oncology Survivorship Nurse Navigator
I was born in 1962 and had the opportunity to be a part of the military as a dependent, which allowed me to live in different parts of the world in my youth. I started working in the medical industry in 1975, in Taiwan at the age of 12 as a volunteer candy striper… back then we wore pink striped uniforms. Then in 1979, I went on and got my CNA and worked in a nursing home & other facilities, finally graduating with my BSN in 1992. Working in the medical industry serving others has been a part of my life, and taking care of those in need is a blessing. In the last 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work in many different roles as a nurse from bedside to administrative. Now, I am blessed to be working as a nurse navigator at the Dignity Health Cancer Institute with survivorship patients, and assisting them to strive for balance in health and wellness. I am grateful, and consider working with these wonderful courageous patients a gift.

Registered Dietitian
Susan provides nutritional counseling and education to patients with cancer, their family, and caregivers. Susan has worked as a Registered Dietitian for Dignity Health Cancer Institute for the past 11 years. She has a Masters in Nutrition from Eastern Michigan University and is Board Certified in Oncology Nutrition. Susan counsels patients undergoing cancer treatment on ways to maximize calories and protein as well as decrease the impact of side effects. She is also part of Dignity Health Cancer Institute’s Transitions to Wellness Survivorship program which provides information to help patients improve quality of life and decrease their risk of cancer and recurrence. Susan is passionate about sharing her knowledge of healthy eating with cancer survivors.

Therapeutic Navigator
Eva provides psychotherapy services for cancer patients, their partners, families, and caregivers. In her counseling sessions, she utilizes interventions from cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR, hypnotherapy, and mindfulness. Eva graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. She completed her graduate degree with a master of arts in psychology and an emphasis on marriage and family therapy at Brandman University. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, Eva specializes in trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety. She provides support with adjustments across the whole cancer continuum, from diagnosis to survivorship. Eva feels extremely passionate about her work and cares deeply for each and every one of her clients.

Incidental Lung Nodule Program Manager, Mercy San Juan Medical Center
An oncology nurse navigator for the past five years, Michael also worked as RN in different units at Mercy San Juan Medical Center, now working closely with Dignity Health lung, esophageal and prostate cancer patients. He has bachelors’ degrees from the University of Glasgow and California State University, Sacramento. More recently, Michael completed the Integrative Health and Lifestyle program at the University of Arizona and incorporates an integrative health approach in his work.

Nurse Navigator, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital
Emily is excited to serve her community as the oncology nurse navigator at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. Emily was born and raised in Nevada County and currently resides there. Emily has been a nurse for more than 10 years, with over 6 years of her career specializing in Oncology. Her most recent background was as an infusion nurse, delivering chemotherapy and supportive medicine. With Emily’s background, she guides, educates and supports patients and families through their cancer journey, from diagnosis to survivorship.

Nurse Navigator, Mercy San Juan Medical Center (General Oncology)
Tiffany is passionate about her role as an oncology nurse navigator. She had the pleasure of working with many of the navigators dating back to when she was an infusion nurse at Sierra Hematology Oncology and in her time with Dignity Health’s radiation oncology team. Tiffany was drawn to nursing following her experience as her father’s caregiver when he had cancer. Tiffany feels she can be both empathetic and sympathetic towards patients. She loves being able to support and educate oncology patients and their families along such a difficult journey. Tiffany feels blessed to work with such a compassionate team and looks forward to positively impacting others. Somedays she wonders which is greater: the gratitude she feels or the effect she has on patients. And that to her is bliss.

Nurse Navigator
Marisa is a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree from California State University Sacramento. She has more than 20 years of nursing experience including inpatient, outpatient and community health. As an oncology nurse navigator, Marisa combines her experience with her passion, supporting patients and caregivers to overcome barriers, facilitate informed decision-making and ensure timely access to quality health care. Her goal is to provide patient-centered care through effective communication with a multidisciplinary team.

Lead Nurse Navigator, Woodland Memorial Hospital 
When Cindy was five years old, she read the book, Nurse Nena. It was then she knew she wanted to be a nurse. Cindy was born and raised in Woodland, so she has strong ties to the community and Woodland Memorial Hospital. Her first nursing job was at Woodland Memorial, which is also where she plans to retire. As an oncology nurse navigator, she see patients with all cancer types. Her goal is to provide education and support. Knowing that getting a cancer diagnosis is scary, Cindy’s goal is to provide guidance to make the journey a little less scary.

Nurse Navigator

Oncology Nurse Navigator, Mercy San Juan Medical Center 
Tana has been a nurse for over 10 years and has dedicated her career to caring for patients within the Dignity Health care system. Prior to becoming an oncology nurse navigator, Tana worked as a floor nurse in Neurology at Mercy General Hospital caring for patients with traumatic brain injuries of many sorts. In 2021, Tana was diagnosed with breast cancer and received treatment at Dignity Health. Her personal experience as a cancer survivor makes her uniquely qualified to provide much needed support to her patients and their families. She knows firsthand the anxiety and uncertainty associated with a cancer diagnosis and is able to provide an unparalleled level of empathy for her patients. Tana leads with compassion treating every patient with dignity, respect, and kindness. Her devotion to her patients and her can-do attitude is reflected in her fierce advocacy for her patients, ensuring they not only receive quality care but also have the tools and resources, e.g., support groups, nutrition, cranial prosthesis, to continue living life to the fullest. Tana tailors her care to the specific needs of each patient with whom she works. Tana is trusted by patients and beloved by co-workers. The smile on her face brightens the day of anyone who interacts with her. Cancer is scary. Tana strives to make it less so by providing her patients with the necessary education and emotional support throughout their journey. She will be that hand to hold when a patient is overwhelmed. Tana is the type of navigator that any patient would want in their corner.

Nurse Navigator, Greater Sacramento Area
Maribeth began her career at the University of Chicago Hospital as a staff nurse in their inpatient hematology oncology unit. The majority of patients she cared for were the underserved population of South Side Chicago. Her heart went into taking care of these patients while they were in the hospital, but she felt helpless and worried for them when they were discharged back into their community knowing the limited resources they had available. It was then Maribeth realized the importance of support cancer patients need outside the hospital. When she relocated to Sacramento in 2015, Maribeth experienced firsthand the overwhelming feelings that come with a cancer diagnosis through her sister and father. She knew she wanted to take on a new challenge and a different role in caring for cancer patients, becoming an oncology nurse navigator with the Dignity Health Cancer Institute.