When Alex Maxwell was diagnosed with breast cancer, she and her family felt the fear and uncertainty that comes with the words “you have cancer.” But then they met Michelle, a Patient Navigator at SHN.

“Michelle became a part of our family during Alex’s treatment,” said Kristin Maxwell, Alex’s mother. “I can’t imagine how difficult it would have been to navigate without her. She was always there and relieved our stress and anxiety by making sure all of Alex’s appointments were scheduled. She connected all of the healthcare providers and organized the many appointments to help Alex get the treatment and care she needed.”

Transforming Care Through the Weston Patient Navigation Program

Now, thanks to a $5 million donation from the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, SHN has expanded this vital support. The new Weston Patient Navigation Program provides dedicated navigators in five areas of care: heart failure, severe wounds, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal and other cancers.

Patient Care Manager Pamela Bonsell, who oversees vascular surgery, has already seen the impact. “Our Patient Navigator is the first point of contact for patients with wounds and sees them every day. Having her on the unit helps patients to fully understand their health and the next steps in their care plan.”

A Lasting Legacy of Compassion

These additional navigators will ensure that more patients facing complex or life-threatening diseases have someone in their corner, guiding them through every stage of their care.

Sadly, Alex passed away in 2023 after a short but brave battle with breast cancer. Her family remains deeply grateful. “Even though we lost Alex, our entire family can’t thank Michelle and the team at SHN enough for what they did for her and our family,” said Kristin. “It’s incredible to know the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation is supporting more patient navigators, because Michelle may have been the most important health professional in Alex’s healthcare journey.”

In her own words, Alex once wrote to SHN: “Prior to meeting Michelle, things felt like they were moving in slow motion. Once I met her, I finally felt like I had someone in my corner and things started moving quickly. Without her I would have been lost.”