Jim and Jane Miller Establish Patient Navigation Program at Loyola Medicine's Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center

MAYWOOD, IL – Thanks to a generous gift from Jim and Jane Miller, Loyola Medicine is launching the Jim and Jane Miller Patient Navigation Program in the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. This gift will support the hiring of dedicated health care professionals to help patients take advantage of Loyola Medicine's unique multidisciplinary care and overcome any obstacles they may face on their cancer journey.

"Jane and I are pleased to be able to seed the launch of the patient navigation program at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center at Loyola Medicine," said Jim Miller, an Oak Brook native and Loyola patient. "We know this program will enhance the coordination of complex care for patients who are experiencing what can be an overwhelming time in their lives and make an important difference to patients, their families and the dedicated physicians, nurses and technicians at Loyola."

During year one, the Miller's gift will support the cost of three patient navigators focused on areas with large patient populations including breast, gastrointestinal and thoracic oncology. The following year, two additional navigators will join the team to concentrate on neuro-oncology, gynecology, prostate cancer and cancers of head and neck. These navigators will free up frontline caregivers to focus on the clinical aspect of patient care and work to the highest level of their licensure.

"The diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming and lead to a complex interplay of tests, provider appointments and procedures," said William Small, Jr., MD, FACRO, FACR, FASTRO, director of the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center. "Navigating these appointments is critical to prompt access and eliminating barriers to care. The generous gift by Jim and Jane Miller will go a long way to improve the lives of our cancer patients."

Jim and Jane Miller have been patients at Loyola Medicine for over 40 years. The Millers are committed to ensuring everyone has access to high-quality health care. Loyola Medicine is fortunate to partner with them to advance health equity in the communities we serve.

The U.S. population is experiencing increasing instances of cancer diagnoses and survivorship. To meet this growing need, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center brings together all aspects of cancer care to one site. Beautifully designed for the comfort and convenience of our patients, the center provides access to clinical trials and promotes optimal collaboration between healthcare providers.

Loyola Medicine is nationally recognized for its expert team of specially trained cancer doctors who come from a wide variety of clinical specialties. These multidisciplinary specialists provide the expertise, translational research experience and compassionate care needed to diagnose and treat cancer. They work together, taking a collaborative approach to cancer care.

Named in honor of the late Archbishop of Chicago Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, the center contains clinic areas, a day hospital and the Coleman Foundation Image Renewal Center, as well as extensive research laboratories, offices and educational space.