Care Specialists Join Beaufort Memorial New River Cancer Center
June 18, 2023
Like many of life’s adversities, cancer is more easily faced and readily conquered with support from an expert, caring team. Knowing that, Beaufort Memorial has added two experienced cancer care specialists — a nurse navigator and research nurse — to its oncology practice at Beaufort Memorial New River Cancer Center in Okatie. The two, whose responsibilities frequently overlap, have a common goal: returning their patients to good health and well-being.
An oncology nurse navigator, Catherine Healy, BSN, RN, manages all aspects of care for patients at the cancer center. Among the ways in which she helps those struggling with cancer are answering their questions about care (including some they may not know to ask); connecting them with resources and services; assisting with coordination of their appointments with multidisciplinary care teams; providing detailed information about what to expect at every stage of their passage from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship; and offering emotional support to them and their families. Before coming to Beaufort Memorial, she worked in transition of care management for several Centura Health Physicians Group clinics across the Colorado front-range. Healy earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Crystal Conran, BSN, RN, after many years at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, joined the cancer care team as an oncology research nurse in March. In her role at New River Cancer Center in Okatie and the Keyserling Cancer Center in Beaufort, Conran serves as a resource for patients and their families, providing them with ongoing education on the latest cancer treatment options and clinical trials as well as assisting them with trial eligibility assessment, enrollment and progress monitoring. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from University of South Carolina Beaufort.
In affiliation with MUSC Health and Alliance Oncology, Beaufort Memorial New River Cancer Center brings all the hospital’s cancer services closer to home for patients who live south of the Broad River. Equipped with the state-of-the-art Varian Halcyon™ Linear Accelerator radiotherapy system, the cancer center offers access to radiation, surgical and medical oncology as well as genetic testing, lab, imaging, chemotherapy/infusion, breast health services and a range of support services, including nutritional counseling and lymphedema prevention.
Through its collaboration with the National Cancer Institute-designated cancer program at MUSC, patients have access to subspecialists experienced in treating rare or complex cancers and are able to participate in clinical trials of promising new cancer drugs and treatments.
At the cancer center’s medical oncology practice, located in the Beaufort Memorial Okatie Medical Pavilion at 122 Okatie Center Blvd. North, Suite 110, in Okatie, Healy and Conran join Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner Kathryn Jones. Also located in the New River Cancer Center is radiation oncologist Dr. Michael Porrazzo and breast surgical oncologist Dr. Tara Grahovac, FACS.
To make an appointment with any services at the cancer center, call 843-522-5619.