Lake Hospital System Offers Help for Women With Breast Cancer When They Need It Most

Breast Health Coordinator Helps Patients Navigate their Health Care Experience.

Women diagnosed with breast cancer don't have to face this agonizing time alone or uninformed. Lake Hospital System now offers a breast health coordinator, who helps patients understand the difficult decisions related to breast treatment and helps them navigate the seemingly complex medical system involved in breast care.

Lake Hospital System's breast health coordinator Kim Mamrack, RN, provides patients with a personal contact for support, information, and guidance throughout their health care experience. A nurse with Lake Hospital System since 1994, Mamrack has worked in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit and Operating Room. In July 2005, she became certified as a breast health navigator by EduCARE, a health care organization offering education that focuses on integrating medical care with personalized education and advocacy. Today, she offers her professional skills and compassion to breast cancer patients at Lake Hospital System.

Kim provides assistance and emotional support to patients undergoing biopsies; newly diagnosed patients; and patients currently undergoing cancer treatments, such as surgery, reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiation.

"From diagnosis to treatment, Kim connects patients to the extensive resources available at Lake Hospital System, including our physician specialists and treatment services. And it is our hope that Kim will be a source of healing and comfort as our patients take their journey to wellness," said Diana Doner, vice president of Women's and Acute Care Services for Lake Hospital System.

Lake Hospital System designed its Breast Health Services program to educate patients, families, and the community about breast health in general. As part of the program, when a patient is scheduled for a biopsy, Kim steps in to offer support and answer questions.

"Primarily, I follow patients throughout their biopsies, diagnosis, and, if necessary, treatments, offering information, education, emotional support and more," said Kim.