patient navigation
Navigating Your Path to Wellness
Our Patient Navigation interventions are dedicated to reducing cancer-related disparities among Black women living east of the Anacostia River. We strengthen community-based supports and healthcare systems to ease the burden of a cancer journey, addressing barriers to cancer screenings, prevention, treatment, and survivorship care. Our goal is to ensure that every woman receives the support she needs throughout her cancer journey.
Online Training
Improving Patient Provider Communication
Black Women Thriving East of the River is proud to share Improving Patient Provider Communication – IEM, a public online training available through MedStar Health. Designed for clinical and non-clinical healthcare staff, this training offers practical insight into strengthening patient-provider communication, understanding barriers patients may face in clinical spaces, and creating safer, more affirming care environments.
For BWTEoTR, this work connects directly to Patient Navigation. When patients feel heard, respected, and supported, they are better able to ask questions, understand their options, follow up on care, and move through the healthcare system with greater confidence.
Available: July 27, 2026 through July 26, 2027
Credits: 1.00 hour available through MedStar Health
Credit types include: AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ Physician, Nurse – ANCC, Non-Physician Member of the Healthcare Team, Interprofessional Continuing Education, and ASWB Social Worker: Cultural Competence
Join the Thrive Tribe
The Thrive Tribe is BWTEoTR’s ambassador community for women who want to use their voice, experience, and care for community to help Black women feel more informed, supported, and connected.
This is a space for survivors, caregivers, advocates, and community connectors who believe in sharing resources, building trust, and helping more Black women know they do not have to navigate care alone.
Roadmaps to Change
Strengthen and Expand Patient Navigation: Enhance and broaden the patient navigation system to ensure seamless support for Black women navigating cancer care.
Address Misogynoir in Healthcare: Implement strategies to combat the intersection of anti-Black racism and sexism in healthcare settings.
Increase Awareness of the Role of Patient Navigation: Promote understanding and recognition of the importance of patient navigation among healthcare providers and the community.
By the Numbers
The need for these initiatives is not just reflected in the stories we hear from the Black women in our community, but in what little data is available pertaining to these issues. The statistics below paint a staggering picture of what these communities face without significant change in the healthcare system.
%
Black residents experience cancer at a 54% higher rate than White residents
Wards 7 & 8, where 87% of residents are Black, have the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in D.C.
Active Interventions to Reduce Cancer Mortality
Cancer Patient Bill of Rights and Annual Assessment
To ensure accountability and transparency in healthcare systems, we will establish a Cancer Patient Bill of Rights for Black women east of the river. This includes regular assessments of cancer clinics, primary care centers, and hospitals to ensure they honor and respect Black women, ultimately fostering trust and improving patient experiences. These assessments will help identify and eliminate systemic biases, ensuring that Black women receive fair and compassionate care.
Sustainable Funding and Reimbursement for Cancer Patient Navigation
Long-term sustainability is critical for maintaining effective patient navigation services. We will create and test a methodology for sustainable funding that ensures ongoing support for cancer patient navigation and provides stability and reliability for the services that Black women depend on.
Cancer Navigation Landscape Analysis
Understanding the current state of cancer navigation services is key to addressing gaps and improving care. Our analysis will map the cancer navigation continuum, identifying roles, settings, and service quality. This will inform improvements, giving Black women the support they need throughout their cancer journey. Read more about it here.
Cancer Data Infrastructure Task Force
We establish a task force to convene stakeholders who collect cancer data relevant to District residents. This task force will conduct a landscape analysis to identify data inequities, particularly focusing on Wards 7 and 8, and develop strategies to address these disparities.
Increase in the Number of Black Women Practitioners
Understanding the preference for healthcare providers who reflect their patients, we support a sustainable pipeline for Black healthcare providers. This intervention promotes the entry and advancement of Black women in the health field, aiming to increase the percentage of Black women providing healthcare at all levels within the healthcare system.
Additional Interventions
Cancer Clinical Trials Training
To address the underrepresentation of Black women in clinical trials, we offer training for researchers and providers on strategies to ensure the regular inclusion of Black patients. This intervention tracks referrals and enrollment, promoting equitable access to innovative cancer treatments.
Thought Leader Forum with Integrative Wellness Champions
Integrative wellness is a holistic approach to cancer care. Our forum brings together champions of integrative wellness to define and promote this model in the District, improving health outcomes and the overall experience for Black women in Wards 7 and 8.
Anti-Misogynoir Training
Our anti-misogynoir training programs for health practitioners address the implicit and explicit biases that affect healthcare delivery. By educating providers on the impacts of misogynoir, we aim to create a more supportive and equitable healthcare environment for Black women.
Best Practices Position Statement on Dismantling Misogynoir
Systemic changes are necessary to dismantle misogynoir and promote equity. Our position statement will advocate for the humanization of Black women, increased numbers of Black healthcare providers, and comprehensive training to eliminate anti-Black racism across the healthcare system. This initiative will highlight best practices and successful models, providing a roadmap for other institutions to make systemic improvements and drive better health outcomes.
Augment Cancer Patient Navigation System
Effective patient navigation is essential for improving health outcomes. By increasing the number of patient navigators and creating a coordinating body, we will enhance the transfer of patients between care settings, provide ongoing training and information sharing, and improve access to navigation resources.
Tiered Approach to Cancer Patient Navigation
Personalized care is essential for meeting the diverse needs of Black women. We will develop and validate a tiered care approach with a standardized assessment tool. Ensuring that navigation services are tailored to the specific needs of each patient enhances care quality and patient satisfaction.
Additional Resources
Explore our resource page for vital information, tools, and support to navigate your cancer journey and beyond. Access comprehensive reports, policy details, advocacy efforts, and impact stories that empower Black women in Wards 7 and 8. Equip yourself with the knowledge and resources to create healthier, more equitable results for yourself and your community.
