New Service Offers

Advocate For Breast Care Patients

NEW MILFORD — Women are becoming increasingly sophisticated when it comes to taking better care of their health, and taking an active role in decisions about their care includes implementing early detection practices to detect breast cancer. Offering new support, New Milford Hospital (NMH) has introduced the breast health navigator program, naming Denise Mariconda, RN, BSN, OCN, as breast health navigator.

In her new patient-advocate role, Ms Mariconda ensures that results are quickly communicated to the patient and the doctor whenever there is a question about the mammographic screening. And she makes sure individual clinical needs are addressed.

She will make herself available so patients can ask questions, request a breast exam, receive instruction in self-exam, or learn what breast care resources are available.

Special certification is required to be a breast health navigator and New Milford Hospital joins just a few other facilities in the state offering this service.

Ms Mariconda, an experienced NMH oncology nurse, is well-known in the community as an energetic and committed breast health educator, and recently received the American Cancer Society’s Angel Award, the organization’s highest honor.

The breast health navigator service is available now as part of the New Milford Hospital’s mission offering more comprehensive breast care services. Rapid advancement toward that goal began last year with the addition of nationally renowned oncologist and breast cancer specialist Dr Beth Overmoyer.

Dr Overmoyer, previously affiliated with University Hospitals of Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic’s breast programs, joined Connecticut Oncology/Hematology Associates last year. She said the Breast Care Program at New Milford Hospital is very pleased to offer this new service to the community.

“We believe that the women who utilize the Breast Health Navigator will find Ms. Mariconda a valuable resource,” Dr Overmoyer said.

She is now co-director of the hospital’s Breast Care Program along with Dr Peter Wilson, an experienced surgeon at New Milford Hospital.