“There are a lot of moving parts involved with breast care,” Crim said, “and the quality of care is significantly improved when those moving parts communicate well.”
For Crim, that involves serving as a patient resource and point of contact, with a focus on education, counseling, genetics and support service referrals.
But it also includes working with the world-class radiologists at the Women’s Pavilion, which is certified as an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence; as well as with Dr. Angela Buonagura, a breast surgeon working out of a satellite office of STHS’s Northlake Surgical Associates located at the High Risk Clinic; and Certified Patient Navigator Cindy Turner, who helps guide patients through their breast care journey.
“We take care of patients across the spectrum of breast disease diagnosis, treatment and surveillance,” Crim said. “From imaging to surgery, genetics to research, patient navigation, risk reduction and survivorship, we provide access to care across the full continuum of breast cancer.”
To further fuel that collaboration, members of the STHS multidisciplinary breast care team – including radiologists, oncologists, breast surgeons, plastic surgeons, genetics specialists, pathologists, patient navigators, support services and others – meet bimonthly at multidisciplinary breast conferences to discuss the specifics of patient care.
The upshot: More coordination between specialties – and, for patients, a more seamless healthcare experience.
“Because of this,” Crim said, “our quality of care is great, and our patients’ quality of life is greater.”
Learn more about St. Tammany Health System’s comprehensive breast care program at StTammany.health/BreastCare.