History

July 2008

• The Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) partners with the Georgia Cancer Foundation (GCF) and Pfizer to sponsor a statewide meeting on Cancer Patient Navigation attracting more than 100 attendees. Patient navigation founder, Dr. Harold Freeman, is the keynote speaker.

December 2008

• The GCC partners with the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO) to submit a grant proposal to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to research the need for a statewide cancer patient navigation organization.

April 2009

• GASCO is awarded a $10,000 State Affiliate grant from ASCO to assess the current level of cancer patient navigation resources in Georgia and determine the need for and interest in forming a statewide professional organization for cancer patient navigators.
• GCC, GASCO meeting with North Carolina Cancer Coalition executive to discuss lessons learned in trying to develop a statewide Cancer Patient Navigation organization

May 2009

• Project team convenes; plans course of action
• Contact lists developed to reach cancer patient navigators in Georgia
• Survey developed, posted online, and distributed
• Date/location/speakers/topics decided for Cancer Patient Navigation conference

June 2009

• GASCO and GCC attend Atlanta networking event sponsored by NCONN
• Survey feedback from more than 100 respondents compiled
• Conference Planning:
  • Speakers Recruited:

       Dr. Harold Freeman; Caroline Huffman; Dr. Sheryl Gabram; Dr. Kimberly Arriola

• Additional financial support secured from Pfizer; program offered at no charge
• Event promotion developed and distributed
• Logistics planned with hotel
• Registration confirmations sent
• Representatives invited from national cancer organizations: LAF, Komen, ACS

July 2009

• Conference held with more than 100 attending.
• Steering Committee formulated with balanced representation 

August 2009

• Event follow-up information (links to resources, presentations, survey results) sent to Georgia cancer patient navigation database
• Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia website page developed on GASCO website

September 2009

• Steering Committee first meeting via phone; determine to hold retreat

October 2009

• Fanning Institute at UGA hired to facilitate retreat
• Retreat planned for October 2 & 3 in Rome; 10 members attend
• Organization name, logo approved; mission/vision/values defined; next steps determined
• Organization chair and vice-chair selected

January - February 2010

• Working Committees – Chair
  • Governance – Karen Beard
  • Membership – Philip Edge
  • Communication – Judy Stanton
  • Networking – Angie Patterson
  • Education – Shaunta Wright
  • Fundraising – Courtney Bugler
  • Outreach – Penny Daughterty
  • Advocacy & Legislation – Emily Beard

• 50+ members on Working committees
• 360+ patient navigation mailing list

March 2010

• Committee Chairs Conferences Call – focus on top 3 goals for each committee
• Working on website, listserv and database

Future Plans 2010

• Steering Team Meeting – April 12th
• CPNG Meeting September 12th ?

Future Goals

• Publish survey results in a reputable Oncology professional magazine
• Develop one Georgia cancer patient navigator database
• Secure involvement of membership base on committees
• Identify grant opportunities
• Develop Listserv
• Determine how to best collaborate with state and national organizations with cancer patient navigator members  (ONS, NASW, NCONN, AONN)
• Research approach to secure insurance coverage of Patient Navigation services