"My role is broad," says Rhodes. "I am here to help patients with breast concerns and to assist them in navigating the system."

From a patient's first phone call to the Valley Hospital Breast Center and through to diagnostic and treatment services, if necessary, and on to support and home care services, Rhodes is the person that women, and even men, seeking breast care can count on to provide them with answers and solutions. 

The position of a nurse navigator is somewhat new in the United States. Valley is one of only several hospitals in the tri-state area to employ a nurse navigator. In addition to her main responsibilities with patients of the Breast Center, Rhodes, whose title is coordinator of disease management teams, also works with patients at Valley's Prostate Cancer Center.  As a nurse navigator for The Valley Hospital Breast Center, Rhodes:

• helps patients schedule diagnostic tests and appointments with physicians
• responds to calls from patients who notice symptoms of breast cancer
• collaborates with all members of the Breast Center team
• educates patients about breast cancer
• coordinates a patient's care with all members of the health care team
• provides assistance with insurance issues
• refers patients to support groups and Valley's Image Recovery Center, where they can purchase mastectomy clothing, breast prostheses, and other items
• counsels patients and listens to their concerns
• recommends complementary therapies at Valley's Center for Complementary Therapies
• helps patients connect with resources in the community

assists male patients with breast cancer with any special needs they may have

"I can ease the burden of patients and their caregivers when they are faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer by being the central resource for information and the coordinator of their services," says Rhodes.

The Valley Hospital Breast Center, located at the hospital's main campus in Ridgewood, provides a comfortable, convenient location for all breast care needs. The breast care team includes board-certified radiologists with fellowship training in breast imaging, experienced breast surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, cytopathologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, female mammography technologists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and other health care professionals skilled in breast care.

The Breast Center's comprehensive breast care services include: screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, core and surgical biopsies, fine needle aspiration, lymphoscintigrams and sentinel lymph node biopsies, genomic testing, cytopathology services, genetic testing and counseling for patients at high risk for breast cancer, breast cancer surgery, breast reconstruction surgery, radiation therapy including five-day partial breast irradiation, prospective breast cancer conferences, occupational therapy, a lymphedema program, clinical research trials for new treatments, and a full range of support services, including social services, support groups, individual and group counseling, pastoral care, and nutrition counseling. Providing additional services for patients with breast cancer are the Valley Institute for Pain, the Image Recovery Center, the Center for Complementary Therapies, and the Cancer Resource Center, all located at Valley's Daniel and Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center at the Robert and Audrey Luckow Pavilion in Paramus.

As a nurse navigator for the Breast Center, Rhodes says her goals are to get the word out to the community about all the services that are available and to advocate for and empower patients with breast cancer with the resources they need to face the challenges of the disease.

For more information or to make an appointment at The Valley Hospital Breast Center, call (201) 447-8600 or visit www.valleyhealth.com. To reach Ann Rhodes use the #2 prompt on your telephone after reaching the Breast Center.