2nd Congress
on Patient
Navigation in
Latin América
Hybrid Modality / Free
Objectives
Showcase existing patient navigation experiences in the region.
Join regional efforts to expand the implementation of patient navigation in order to reduce health barriers.
Share information on training and certification of patient navigators.
Create a support network among patient navigators in LatinAmerica.
AGENDA TOPICS
- Regional efforts to implement patient navigation as a tool to reduce healthcare barriers and improve access to treatment.
- Patient navigation experiences in LATAM.
- Evolution of patient navigation in the United States.
- The role of the Champion Doctor in patient navigation implementation.
- Patient rights and advocacy.
- Cancer prevention laws and programs.
- Training and certification for patient navigators.
Who should attend?
Nurses
Nursing Assistants
Social Workers
Psychologists
Health Administrators
Educators
Healthcare Volunteers
Community Health Workers
NAVEGACIÓN DE PACIENTES INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NPI)
NPI is a registered non-profit organization in Boston, Massachusetts, that has been training and certifying patient navigators in Spanish in Latin America since 2016.
Recently, NPI renewed its agreements with PUJ and UNIS, which endorse our educational curriculum, based largely on the George Washington Cancer Center’s Patient Navigation Guide.
CERTIFICATIONNPI has trained and certified more than 150 patient navigators in 10 countries. These navigators have assisted more than 400 patients during the hands-on training phase of the course.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Dr. Harold Freeman
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Freeman is the father and pioneer of the patient navigation concept and model, which addresses disparities in access to timely diagnosis and treatment, particularly among low-income communities.
Nancy Peña, ACS-LION, OPN-CG, CMI, BA
Patient Navigator in gynecologic oncology at Dana-Farber Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital since 2005. She developed the first patient navigation program in Guatemala and has been training volunteer navigators since 2016. She holds a degree in Communications and Journalism, with certifications as a Patient Navigator and Medical Interpreter, and is a member of AONN. Harvard Medical School
Rachel Allende, LICSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute since 2009, providing psychosocial support to Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking patients. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and is a member of the Association of Oncology Social Workers. Her previous experience includes work in hospitals, community mental health, and refugee resettlement agencies.
Maritza Y. Chicas, BSN, RN, OCN
Bilingual Oncology Nurse Navigator at Lehigh Valley Health Network for nine years. She is an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) with experience in surgical oncology, chemotherapy infusion, and radiation oncology. She coordinates the Thoracic and Lung Nodule Clinic and leads outreach efforts on cancer prevention. She holds a BSN from Long Island University.
Dr. Sarah Feldman, MD, MPH
Associate Professor in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School
Mandi Pratt-Chapman MA, PhD
Director of Patient Navigation, George Washington Cancer Center GWCC
Dr. Patricia Chacón
Head surgeon, 4th Surgical Unit, Breast Cancer Clinic, San Juan de Dios Hospital/Guatemala
M.A. Joan Marie Collier de De León
Nutritionist with Clinical specialty from the Francisco Marroquín University. Secretary of the Council of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Universidad del Istmo.
Dra. Esperanza Peña
Master in Clinical Epidemiology, Master of Health Administration, Nurse of the Pontifical Javeriana University Currently, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Elizabeth Paucar Harris, M.B.A.
Elizabeth led an international oncology care program and later founded H.O.P.E., a company that provides personalized medical concierge services to patients, especially those with cancer, in several countries.
Mg. Vivian Piedrahita, Oncology Nurse
Vivian Piedrahita is an oncology nurse with a master's degree in epidemiology and extensive clinical, research, and teaching experience. She coordinates oncology programs and serves as a patient navigation consultant.
Wilmer Andrés Aragón Gómez, Oncology Nurse
Oncology nurse with 13 years of experience, certified in patient navigation and Lean Six Sigma. He is a data manager at Clínica Imbanaco and a lecturer at the University of Valle.
Fern Remedi-Brown, BS, MED, MBA
Fern designs programs focused on health equity for multicultural communities. She collaborates with the NGO CorGuate in Guatemala, has worked at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard, and has over 150 published articles. She holds master’s degrees in Education and Healthcare Management.
Kristie Mccomb, MPH
Kristie leads the Global Patient Support team at the American Cancer Society. She has over 20 years of public health experience in the U.S., Asia, and Africa, focused on expanding access to services. She is a former Peace Corps volunteer and speaks Japanese, French, and Portuguese.
Sandra Lorena Aquino
President of the Fe y Esperanza Association in Honduras, supporting cancer patients through psychosocial care and education. As a breast cancer survivor, she promotes patient navigation with a community-based, compassionate approach. Certified by The George Washington University, her work has benefited hundreds of patients in underserved areas.
JOIN THE 2025 PATIENT NAVIGATION CONGRESS
ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
VISIoN
Train clinical and non-clinical patient navigators in Spanish to support patient access to oncology care and to reduce the rates of cancer and other chronic illnesses
MISSION
Save patient lives by increasing access to medical attention and by providing support to navigate complex health systems.
EDUCATION
Educate patient navigators about cancer prevention and increase overall cancer prevention awareness.
Testimoniales
Review of the 1st Patient Navigation Congress 2023.
ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING THE 2023 PATIENT NAVIGATION CONGRESS
MORE INFORMATION ON SPONSORING THE CONGRESS
Tel: +01-978-809-9426
info@npint.org
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