Thanks to our volunteers for supporting our work in expanding International Patient Navigation. Our team of volunteers collaborated from the accompaniment and support to patients, distribution of educational material, as well as technical support.
Dr. Sergio Ralon, is chief of Oncological Surgery at the General Hospital San Juan de Dios in Guatemala and directs the area of Breast Cancer and Breast Disease. Dr. Ralon supports the International Patient Navigation program and collaborates with patient navigators to ease the process for patients within the health care system. Dr. Ralon is internationally recognized, has over 20 years of experience in the area of breast cancer and is the author of several academic books.
Dr. Patricia Chacón Lezana, General Surgeon with a specialty in Breast Tumors, is head of the clinic of the Department of Surgery at San Juan de Dios General Hospital. Dr. Chacon is also a Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Mariano Galvez University of Guatemala.
Physician and Surgeon from the Francisco Marroquín University. Postgraduate degree in Gynecology and Obstetrics Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala Fellowship in Gynecology Oncology International Gynecological Cancer Society Global Curriculum Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics Universidad Francisco Marroquín Junior Editor International Journal of Gynecological cancer.
Silvia Angelica Xinico Ajú, is a Maya Woman Kaqchikel, facilitator of the OSAR Chimaltenango Reproductive Health Observatory, Coordinator of the National Alliance of Indigenous Women’s Organizations for Health, Education and Nutrition ALIANMISAR, Local Cervical Cancer Prevention Researcher at Georgetown and Hackensack University; accompanying indigenous women in health services for the prevention of maternal mortality and cervical cancer; and inciting public policies on behalf of women for the fulfilment of their human rights.
Vilma de Vásquez is a cancer survivor and is currently a Patient Navigator in Guatemala. Vázquez is vice president of the organization Rebuilding Lives (ASEROVI) and provides accompaniment service during medical appointments to patients, as well as emotional support, resources and educational material. Vilma supports patient browser training logistics and is direct contact with several medical oncologists who support our cause. Vasquez is counter expert.
palliative services / hospice. She is Coordinator of the Chest Multidisciplinary Care Clinic. She participates in outreach activities to promote services and educate the community about cancer prevention and survival. She advocates for the Hispanic population and obtained Bridging the Gap certification and is a trained medical interpreter. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Long Island University, New York. The US and its allies in the U.S.
Ruthilia Gonzalez, RN graduated from the Mariano Galvez University of Guatemala, she is currently General Supervisor in the departments of critical area, pediatrics, surgical physician, chief and deputy chief in the adult intensive services units, operating room, equipment center, and cardiovascular surgery unit at the General Hospital San Juan de Dios. She is a teacher and practice supervisor of nursing courses, surgical physician, nursing administration, supervised practice in hospital services at University of Rafael Landivar.
Ludmila Svoboda, RN, BSN, MA, OCN, promotes education, cancer detection and prevention. Ludmila speaks Spanish, Frances, German, and Czech. She is certified as a navigator nurse and has many years of experience in the areas of cancer treatment and prevention. Ludmila also trains browser nurses in Haiti and Africa.
Thanks to the kind donation “In memory of Verny A. Samayoa”, we registered NPI as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in February 2020 and are providing scholarships to train new patient browsers in Guatemala, with the aim of the program in a public hospital. This training will be done online, due to COVID-19.
Yoscairy Raymond, social work, joined DFCI in September 2019 as the Breast Oncology Patient Navigator. In this role, Yoscairy will focus on supporting underserved patients to insure timely access to care across the cancer continuum with the goal of reducing cancer health disparities and other structural, cultural, social, emotional, and administrative barriers that may have a negative impact in patient care. Yoscairy will support Patient Navigation International with administration and logistics work.
Ashley Raben, is a graduate of Boston University where she studied health science and public health. She has significant experience helping patients navigate access to critical medical services, health insurance counseling, and patient advocacy. She currently connects patients to resources to help offset the high cost of specialty medication. She is passionate that all individuals, regardless of their background and economic status, be able to access and afford the critical healthcare they need.
Vivi Gramajo is a cancer survivor and is currently a Patient Navigator in Guatemala. She is the president of the organization Rebuilding Lives (ASEROVI) and provides accompaniment service during medical appointments to patients, as well as emotional support, resources and educational material. Vivi supports in the logistics of training for patient browsers and is direct contact with several medical oncologists who support our cause.
Marta Quiñonez is a cancer survivor and is currently Navigator of Paciente in Guatemala. Martita was part of the organization Rebuilding Lives (ASEROVI). Today she supports patients from accompaniment service during medical appointments to patients, as well as emotional support, resources and educational material. Quiñonez supports patient browser training logistics and is direct contact with several oncologist physicians who support our cause.
Kate Foster, BSN, RN
I have been a Registered Nurse since 1987 with 12 years’ experience working in a Major University Teaching hospital. I worked as a Nursing Instructor, in Clinical Case Management, a clinic Triage Nurse. I am a Member of: WASHAA (Washington State Health Advocates Association) NAHAC (National Associates of Healthcare Advocates) Greater National Advocates and served for 2 years on the National Credentialing Committee for Patient Advocates.
Beginning 2013, I worked with industry professionals to develop a Patient Navigator/ Care Coordinator 6-month training program which was the foundation for Community and Technical Colleges in Washington State offering this certificate. I’m the lead author of the original course and was main instructor for the first 2 years.
Kelly Welch is the Executive Director of MA-based nonprofit, Team Maureen, and a founding member of the Coalition, serving on both the Oral and Cervical Taskforces. She is a member of the American Cancer Society’s HPV Roundtable and the ASCCPs work group for cervical cancer guidelines. Since earning her degree from Cornell University, she has worked in education-focused nonprofits for over 20 years, addressing a wide spectrum of subjects including suicide prevention, culinary arts, substance abuse, and cervical cancer/HPV prevention.