Join Komen’s Patient Navigation Training Program

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Susan G. Komen, a national breast cancer research and advocacy organization, has launched its Navigation Nation interactive learning community for patient navigators – those who help guide cancer patients to overcome barriers toward quality healthcare. 

The program brings individuals through a Patient Navigation Training Program and access to courses, webinars, and other educational events. 

“The training program gives navigators the tools and resources to overcome barriers for those experiencing breast health inequities and provides a peer network and support system,” according to the Komen website.   

Learn more about this free program and what it entails, and how you can join.  

What is Komen’s Patient Navigation Training Program? 

This program was designed to empower patient navigator trainees, including those traditionally underrepresented in healthcare careers.  

Through the Patient Navigation Program Training Program, participants will:  

• Join Komen’s Patient Navigation Training Program. 
• Participate in at least four courses from its virtual catalog. 

• Participate in at least two virtual events. 
• Obtain a certificate of completion and gain entry into the Navigation Nation Community. 
• Have ongoing opportunities to interact via “Navigation Nation” courses, webinars, events, and community forums. 

“This is more than a training. It is a supportive, interactive learning community with a full suite of learning opportunities and events,” according to the program webpage. 

Enrolled participants will have access to a virtual program that includes topics like “Patient Navigation 101” and “Navigating Racism and Bias.” This is critical because of the implicit bias that some healthcare workers have toward Latinos and other people of color. 

Participants can also expect to expand their knowledge through coffee chats, engaging panel discussions, workshops, and more.  

Komen encourages all types of patient navigators to join Navigation Nation, including:  

• Community Health Workers  
• Care Coordinators  
• Case Managers  

• Social Workers  
• Nurse Navigators  
• Medical Assistants  
• Providers  
• All Patient-Facing Roles 

Upon completing the navigation program, participants will receive a certificate of completion and virtual induction into the Navigation Nation Community.  

Those interested in joining the program can register here. For more information, email navigationnation@komen.org.   

The Importance of Patient Navigators 

Patient navigators work with patients, families, and caregivers to ensure they get the healthcare and resources that they need.  

“Patient navigation addresses health inequities by eliminating an individual’s barriers to quality care – helping patients effectively navigate a fragmented health care system,” according to Komen.  

Patients, especially Latinos and other people of color, can face several barriers that affect how they receive the care, treatment, and important resources, including transportation, lack of resources, and language barriers.  

That’s where navigators and promotoras come in to help.  

“Promotoras are the bridge between the diverse populations they serve and the healthcare system,” according to the Rual Health Information Hub. “The promotora model is often used in the United States and Latin America to reach Hispanic communities.”  

Navigators, promotoras, or community health workers assist Spanish-speaking communities, sharing many of the same social, cultural, and economic characteristics as those living in the communities that they serve.  

Community health workers can assist with infection control, quality of life for cancer survivors, accessing health insurance, and navigating the school system. 

“With the appropriate resources, training and support, Community Health Workers improve the health of their communities by linking their neighbors to health care and social services, by educating their peers about disease and injury prevention, by working to make available services more accessible and by mobilizing their communities to create positive change,” according to MPH Salud. 

Explore the Health of Your Community  

The health of people in the community is crucial.  

What about the health of the community itself?  

Salud America’s Health Equity Report Card provides Latino-focused, local data that can help visualize and explore local inequities in health-related topics including housing, education, healthcare, food and nutrition, and more.  

The report card helps raise awareness about inequities that Latinos face.  

Use the data from the report card to educate yourself and others about the health of your community by finding your county. Compare the data to other counties across your state and the nation.  

 You can also share that data with local leaders, health departments, and social justice organizations to advocate for change on your area.  

GET YOUR HEALTH EQUITY REPORT CARD!