Dana-Farber Launches Fifth Community-Focused Patient Navigator Program

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute recently announced the launch of its fifth Patient Navigator program. The new program will focus on Hematologic Malignancies, specifically Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma. The Hematologic Malignancies program is modeled after successful programs in Gastrointestinal, Breast, Thoracic, and Gynecologic Oncology.

The Patient Navigator programs are led by the Institute’s Cancer Care Equity Program. Manisha Fleurismé, Patient Navigator, will support new adult Lymphoma and Multiple Myeloma medical oncology patients from historically marginalized communities. Manisha previously worked as a protocol scheduler in Dana-Farber's Sarcoma center, and she is fluent in Haitian Creole.

As part of the Community-Focused Patient Navigation Programs, Patient Navigators meet patients upon their arrival to Dana-Farber and accompany them from screening to registration to appointments. The Patient Navigator programs in Gastrointestinal, Breast, Thoracic, and Gynecologic Oncology yield high rates of patient, provider, and care team satisfaction.

"Dana-Farber's Community-Focused Patient Navigator program has made it possible for some of the most vulnerable members of our community to have access to our world-class oncology care so that they can have the opportunity to live longer and healthier lives," Christopher Lathan MD, MS, MPH, Chief Clinical Access and Equity Officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said. "We are happy to expand the program to Hematologic Malignancies, and we hope this brings us one step closer to reducing the burden of cancer for all."

Established in January 2012, the Cancer Care Equity Program (CCEP) aims to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes for historically marginalized groups in the Greater Boston area, as well as become a national model for translating cancer equity research into interventions. The CCEP joins community partners, such as the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center and the Dimock Center, in the pursuit of equitable care across the spectrum of cancer-related disease.