Fairview Range is a rural community healthcare system that provides healthcare to several communities on the Iron Range. Jackie Haigh, CNS, and Shannon Slatten, RN, are the first two formal Nurse Navigators in our local care system. The role of a navigator is to provide support and guidance through the complex healthcare world, to patients and families when they need it the most: after a new cancer diagnosis. Due to their compassion, skills, and love of their work, Jackie and Shannon have grown this program from initially supporting breast cancer patients to supporting all patients with a new diagnosis of cancer.
Jackie Haigh started the navigation work in the Fairview Range Breast Center and soon after brought Shannon Slatten on board. Their goal was to work with a team of care providers following an evidence-based care model, yet offer individualized support to meet the needs of each patient. The program they established provides breast care education to all patients who would like it, teaching preventative care, healthy lifestyles, and the importance of early detection. A large part of the navigator role is to help guide a patient through her breast cancer journey. The navigator provides as much or as little support as each patient wants, attending appointments with the patient, coordinating all follow up care, and providing direct support during procedures. It is not the duties in a job description that make it successful; it is the right person in the role. We at Fairview Range have been fortunate enough to find two outstanding caregivers that excel in this role. These are two of the most kind, compassionate, and giving individuals that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. If you are in the care of either Jackie or Shannon, you will have their undivided attention and support 24 hours a day, 7 days. Both Jackie and Shannon provide their patients with a cell phone number and make it known that they are here for them at any time of day or night. Jackie and Shannon serve as the patient advocate, ensuring the patient fully understands all of their choices, and supporting them in any choice they patient makes. Jackie and Shannon have recently expanded their roles to provide this personalized care to all newly diagnosed cancer patients in our community.
Jackie and Shannon are also highly engaged members of the community. They co-lead a local community cancer support group. They are on the planning committee for “Girls Night Out” a Breast Cancer Awareness/Fund Raiser, where all proceeds go to The Angel Fund, a program that provides financial support for local cancer patients (i.e. gas cards for travel expenses associated with cancer treatment). They played an intricate role in planning Fairview Range’s first annual Women’s Health Expo in January of 2014, which is designed to educate women on healthy choices, preventative care, and health care services available within the community. They are both also actively involved in the annual American Cancer Society event in the community. This onlynames a few of the community events they are involved in.
Jackie and Shannon are also both active members of Fairview Range’s Cancer Committee, where they are responsible for things such as, identifying cancer screening programs for the community for earlier cancer detection.
I honestly cannot say enough about how wonderful and committed both Jackie and Shannon are to this organization and the communities we serve. The truly believe in and carry out the vision of making this a healthier community.