Fast Five Q&A with breast care navigator Donna Moore Wilson

As part of our Fast Five series, HCA Virginia is connecting with our colleagues to share quick insight into the work they do to support the patients in their communities.

Donna Moore Wilson is a high-risk breast care navigator, certified breast care nurse (C.B.C.N.) and a registered nurse (R.N.) with a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.). She supports the Advanced Diagnostic Breast Center, Retreat & Hanover Imaging Centers affiliated with Henrico Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. With over 23 years of experience, Donna has been instrumental in caring for patients and developing and formalizing nurse navigation programs in both the inpatient setting and the oncology clinic.

Here is our Fast Five Q&A with Donna:

1. You've been practicing as a nurse navigator since 2007. Why did you become a breast cancer nurse navigator; what inspired you? 
   
   I became a nurse navigator after supporting my late husband in his journey with bile duct cancer. I found out during our cancer journey how overwhelming it can be to have a cancer diagnosis. A nurse navigator's role is to assess the patient for barriers to care and, once those barriers are identified, to do all that we are capable of doing to eliminate or decrease those barriers.
    
2. What does a nurse navigator offer patients, and what is your approach to patient care?
   
   Nurse navigators serve patients and their families as advocates, educators and facilitators for collaboration and coordination of care. My approach is to listen to the patient, educate them, identify their healthcare goals and collaborate with the treatment team.
    
3.  When is a patient connected to you, and how long are you a part of their care team?
   
   The high-risk program is still developing, and we are formalizing the program. Right now, I am connected when a patient comes to one of our breast imaging centers and is identified as being at an elevated risk for breast cancer or other familial cancers. My involvement in their care includes identifying them as high-risk, educating them on what that means and facilitating appointments with our high-risk clinic.
    
4. What is something people may not know about your job?
   
   There is an established baseline of knowledge, best practice and expertise required of nurse navigators by national organizations. Navigation's goal is to achieve health equity and improve access to quality care across the cancer continuum.
    
5.  What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their journey with breast cancer?
   
   Take a deep breath and remember that being at an elevated risk doesn't mean you will get cancer. Take the opportunity to have a conversation with a trusted provider, our high-risk providers are specially trained in breast health and can answer questions you may have about genetics, timing of imaging and what you can do to lower your risks.

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to get to know you and help others understand more about the important work that you do as a nurse navigator, Donna!

As part of Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, our family of hospitals in Virginia provides comprehensive cancer services with convenient access to cutting-edge therapies for people facing cancer in our communities. From diagnosis to treatment and survivorship care, our oncology expertise ensures you have access to locally trusted care with the support of a globally recognized network.