A warm hello from your new Editor-in-Chief! As I prepared to write this, I reflected on my journey within oncology patient navigation and the influence AONN+ has had on my professional growth. It all started with an invitation in 2009 from AONN+ cofounder, Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-CG, to be a part of the Leadership Council (LC) to help establish strategic priorities, organizational planning, and evaluation of programs for the professional organization.
As I journeyed through AONN+, I planned midyear and annual conferences with Lillie as a mentor for years, and now a very competent and active Conference Planning Committee leads that creative task. The development of Local Navigation Networks was my contribution as an LC member. Collaborating with dedicated professional teams has allowed the creation of oncology navigation certification exams and development of standardized metrics. A navigation acuity tool is currently being validated with a quality initiative.
JONS is the platform to disseminate original research findings and exchange best practices.
Throughout my career journey, AONN+ has been a source of support from the knowledgeable navigators I have had the opportunity to work alongside. I have learned from their wisdom and through them broadened my professional development. And JONS has been a constant companion as it is the platform this profession uses to disseminate original research findings and exchange best practices. It is like a career evolution since I have been the breast section editor for JONS since 2010, and I am looking forward to continuing to disseminate the creative work of oncology navigation! I hope you have this same feeling about AONN+ as our professional home and JONS as your collective voice.
