myTemplate

Our hospital, Beaufort Memoroial has just added a Breast Care Coordinator and I think that is a wonderful needed service.  Ronda O'Connell, a registered nurse with more than 20 years' experience knows about patient fears, and she knows how to communicate with physicians.  Most women will be connected with O'Connell throught their physician at the time of a diagnosis; others will meet her after they've had surgery.  In either case, from the moment a connection is made, work providing one-on-one support and helping her patients get the timely, compassionate care they need.

O'Connell will work closely with physicians to ensure that treatment instructions are followed and can facilitate scheduling, provide preoperative education and even coordiate follow up care.  At the time a referral a one-on-one consultation to understand the patients needs, provide relavent information and resources, and determine how to make the whole experience more comfortable, understandable and manageable.

Depending on the patients needs she will esure appointments and consultations are scheduled efficiently, provide ongoing communication with physcicians to enhance care, help patients understand their diagnosis and their plan of care once it has been determine, coordinate treatment scheduales so they are more convenient for patients.  She will also provide educational information of interest to the patient and family,  make contact with the patient at regular intervals throughout treatment and identify resources and make appropriate referrals for the patient and family.  This is a FREE service provided by BMH Women Services.

I know this is a service that would have helped me and my family 12 years ago.  I know it will be a excellent program and I am thankful for all the women who will be helped through this service.