Meet Our Oncology Nurse Navigators
Meet Our Oncology Nurse Navigators
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Katy Flanagan, BSN, RN
Mobile: 210-440-4954
Fax: 210-730-9693
Email: [email protected]
As a Breast Nurse Navigator with Baptist Health System, Katy Flanagan is dedicated to supporting and guiding women through every step of their breast health journey. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2018 and began her nursing career on a specialty surgical care unit, where she discovered her passion for caring for women undergoing breast cancer surgery, including lumpectomies, mastectomies, and breast reconstruction procedures.
Since joining Baptist Health System in 2024, Katy has served as a compassionate advocate and trusted resource for patients navigating breast health concerns and breast cancer treatment.
As a Breast Nurse Navigator, Katy follows up with patients after breast biopsies to ensure they understand their results and the recommended next steps. For patients diagnosed with breast cancer or high-risk breast lesions, she provides education about their pathology findings, helps them understand the roles of each member of their multidisciplinary care team, and assists in coordinating care among specialists. She also connects patients and their families with valuable support services and community resources, including support groups, transportation assistance, financial assistance, nutrition counseling, and exercise and wellness programs.
Katy understands a breast cancer diagnosis and the healthcare system can feel overwhelming and complex. She is committed to helping every patient feel informed, supported, and empowered, ensuring they have a knowledgeable advocate by their side throughout their care journey.
Oncology Nurse Navigators FAQ
Although both work together to ensure patients are well taken care of, patient navigation and patient case management are not the same function.
- Case management is focused on the transition of an individual from inpatient care to outpatient /home discharge.
- Navigation is focused on minimizing barriers to care, distress mitigation, and improvement of adherence/timeliness to care treatment plans. It also empowers patients through education, identifying needed resources and ensuring communication with their healthcare teams. Additionally, navigators can get involved with the patient at any point in their journey, without a physician referral and at no charge to the patient.
Oncology Nurse Navigators are Registered Nurses (RN), with bachelor’s degrees in nursing or certifications from accredited nursing programs. After becoming an RN, they then focus their career path on oncology care, in both inpatient and outpatient settings, to gain valuable experience working with patients and medical providers across multiple disciplines providing cancer care.
Baptist Health System does not charge patients for oncology nurse navigation services. A patient can be referred by a physician or can self-refer.