Affinity Health System announces Lauren Klemm as the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator
11 / 30 / 2009
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Maria Heim, Media Relations
Affinity Health System
(920) 720-1752
(920) 554-0686 (pager)
MENASHA, Wis. - Affinity Health System welcomes Lauren Klemm as the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator at Mercy Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital. Affinity Health System is the only health system in the area that currently partners with the American Cancer Society on the Patient Navigator program.
“Partnering with a Patient Navigator provides patients with a valuable resource that makes their experience with cancer as seamless as possible," said John Fuller, practice manager, St. Elizabeth Hospital. “This is one more way Affinity Health System can deliver personalized care.”
Patient Navigators can assist patients from the time of diagnosis, through treatment, and into survivorship in a variety of ways, such as: referrals to support groups and support systems, assistance in identifying local and national resources for information support and assistance, coordinating transportation and lodging during treatment, support and service through programs such as the American Cancer Society Look Good…Feel Better program for women concerned with their appearance during treatment.
“A cancer diagnosis can be a life-changing experience for patients, their families and their caregivers,” said Jari Johnston-Allen, CEO, American Cancer Society, Midwest Division. “Our Patient Navigator is able to provide support every step of the way, from explaining what to expect with chemotherapy, to making sure patients have transportation to and from appointments. Fighting cancer is a difficult, challenging journey; but with the help of trained American Cancer Society Patient Navigators, people don’t have to go through it alone.”
The American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Program is a component of the American Cancer Society Cancer Resource Network, a comprehensive offering of free resources to help patients, their families, and caregivers manage the impact of cancer on their lives by providing information, day-to-day help, and emotional support.
Klemm received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
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For the Editor:
Affinity Health System, a faith-based regional health care network, is a partnership of Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Affinity Health System is the Fox Valley’s second-largest employer, according to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and has been nationally listed for two years in a row among the top 50 health systems for quality and efficiency (Thomson Reuters, Modern Healthcare; 2009, 2010). For nine consecutive years, Affinity Health System has been named to the SDI Health (formerly Verispan) Integrated Health Network Top 100, an annual assessment of the 100 most highly integrated health care networks in the nation – Affinity ranks no. 81 in the 2011 report. Both St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh rank among the top 1 percent of hospitals nationwide in terms of quality and efficiency, as determined by the 2007 Premier | CareScience Select practice National Quality Award. Network Health Plan has achieved Excellent accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the highest possible level. It has been nationally ranked in the Top 50 Health Insurance Plans for five consecutive years in the U.S. News and World Report/NCQA Best Health Plans in America listing. Members of Affinity include Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh; St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, Appleton; Affinity Medical Group, a regional network of 26 family practice and specialty clinics – 23 of which are transforming into medical home models – in 14 communities; Calumet Medical Center, Chilton; Network Health Plan, Menasha; and Affinity Occupational Health.