Newly diagnosed cancer patients often struggle to find various services, but a new program at Howard County General Hospital aims to help them navigate.
“Because of the profound impact cancer can have on someone?s life, there are a bunch of resources available in various communities, but they are not always easy to find,” said Paul Gleichauf, the hospital?s senior vice president of planning and marketing.
The Cancer Patient Navigator Program, developed by the American Cancer Society, helps bridge the gap between patients and the vast number of services and treatments.
Howard County General soon will launch a three-year pilot program because of a $60,000 grant from the Horizon Foundation, as well as funding from the American Cancer Society and the hospital.
A patient navigator can provide literature, refer support groups and help identify resources for financial assistance, medication, home health care, insurance and other concerns, according to the American Cancer Society.
“An individual becomes a liaison to newly diagnosed cancer patients to help them get connected to resources available,” Gleichauf said.
The hospital?s 1998 merger with the Johns Hopkins Medicine organization created a close relationship between the hospital and the Hopkins oncology specialists, said Rich Krieg, president and CEO of the Horizon Foundation, a philanthropy in Columbia.
Maryland is expected have an estimated 26,390 new cancer cases and 10,210 cancer deaths in 2007, according to the American Cancer Society.
