Dear Navigators, Social Workers, Administrators, and Clinical Staff,
The Biden Cancer Initiative builds on former Vice President Joe Biden’s work on the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative by developing and driving implementation of solutions to accelerate progress in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, research, and care, and to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes. To fulfill this mission, the initiative is working closely with patients and patient organizations, cancer researchers, cancer centers, research universities, governments, and the private and philanthropic sectors.
The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) had a strong presence at the first of the Biden Cancer Initiative’s “Conversations with Dr. Biden,” held March 10, 2018, in Austin, TX. Hosted by Jill Biden, MEd, Co-chair of the Biden Cancer Initiative, these conversations are being held across the country in intimate community settings to provide members of the patient support network—families, caregivers, patient navigators, and others—with the opportunity to share their perspectives on the cancer journey.
Of the 10 people who participated in the event, several were AONN+ members, including Danelle Johnston, MSN, RN, ONN-CG, OCN, Chief Nursing Officer, Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Initiatives, The Lynx Group, who sits on the Biden Cancer Initiative’s Advisory Committee. It is Ms Johnston’s hope that by leveraging the navigator network of AONN+ and bringing them to the table for events such as “Conversations with Dr. Biden,” she will further the mission of AONN+ to advance the role of patient navigation in the cancer care continuum.
Speaking on behalf of all of us at AONN+, we are proud to be a part of the Biden Cancer Initiative’s programs. Quality cancer care cannot be achieved without effective navigation, patient advocacy, and the combined efforts of a multidisciplinary team working together on behalf of the patient.
For more about the Biden Cancer Initiative, please visit BidenCancer.org.
Sincerely,
Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, ONN-CG
Editor-in-Chief, JONS; Program Director, AONN+
University Distinguished Professor of Breast Cancer, Adm Director, the Johns Hopkins Breast Center; Director, Johns Hopkins Cancer Survivorship Programs; Professor of Surgery and Oncology, JHU School of Medicine; Co-Creator, Work Stride-Managing Cancer at Work
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