Help you understand your diagnosis,
care plan and medications.
Facilitate and streamline
communication between you and
the doctors who will be taking care
of you.
Answer your questions.
Coordinate scheduled appointments.
Provide assistance with accessing
clinical and supportive care services.
Provide timely care and reduce
delays by easing access to cancer
care specialists.
Facilitate and streamline
communication with providers and
connect you with support services.
Provide individual support
and education.
To help ease anxiety about a cancer diagnosis, Virtua connects patients
with a nurse navigator through Virtua’s Oncology Navigation Program
for breast, colorectal, gastrointestinal, gynecologic and prostate cancer
patients. All services are free to Virtua patients.
T
en years ago, Russell Newell passed away just four weeks after
being diagnosed with cancer. His wife, Carol Byrnes Newell
passed away within eight days of her cancer diagnosis in 2010.
“Cancer has really had an impact on our family and our friends,”
said the Newells’ daughter, Karen Tiburzi. “We’ve found that the
hardest thing to face is not knowing what to do.”
Thanks to a generous planned gift from the Newells, Karen
hopes other families facing cancer have someone special by
their side to guide them through the daunting journey – an
oncology nurse navigator.
Russell, a leader on the former West Jersey Health Foundation
Board, planned a legacy gift to Virtua Foundation in honor of his
grandson, Michael Tiburzi. Karen and her husband Allan directed
their family’s support to the Virtua Oncology Navigation program
at Virtua.
“My parents left this legacy and wanted to make an impact in memory of my son, Michael,” said Karen. “I hope this gift allows
families to have the confidence and peace to go through their journey.”
An oncology navigator often serves as a partner and friend, helping patients better understand their diagnoses and care plans.
They seek to alleviate some of the stress and confusion patients experience in the days following a diagnosis by streamlining
communication with doctors, coordinating appointments and answering questions.
“Navigators empower patients by providing personalized education and support from the first test through treatment, recovery and
beyond,” said Barbara Francks, RN, a Virtua Nurse Navigator.
The gift dedicated by the Newell and Tiburzi families provides added comfort to patients on their long journey toward recovery, a
powerful component to getting well.
VIRTUA’S
ONCOLOGY NAVIGATION PROGRAM
A REGISTERED ONCOLOGY NURSE CAN:
8
A FAMILY’S EXTRAORDINARY GIFT
Russell and Carol Byrnes Newell
