U of A and Northern Arizona University partner to educate community health professionals
Twenty-one trainees successfully completed the course and earned their certificate of completion from George Washington University.
Patient navigator trainees and facilitators at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
Julie Armin
The Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention Outreach and Engagement Core, a program of the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center, hosted a three-day cancer patient navigation training at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University in January to strengthen cancer care support across tribal and rural communities in Arizona.
Community health representatives and health educators completed the intensive training held simultaneously at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and the University of Arizona in Tucson. Participants represented three tribal nations, two tribal healthcare organizations, one non-tribal healthcare organization and one community-based organization serving primarily low-income residents of Arizona.
Monica Yellowhair, PhD, assistant director for Native American Partnerships at the Cancer Center and event co-facilitator, emphasized that investing in cancer patient navigator training is essential for aligning with tribal leadership priorities. “Training navigators who work in tribal communities builds workforce capacity and ensures that cancer care strategies reflect the goals and values set by tribal leaders. This training serves as a vital pathway for partnership and community-driven change.”
The training used a free, online course called the George Washington University Oncology Patient Navigator Training Fundamentals. This is an 18-hour, evidence-based program designed to equip navigators with core knowledge and skills. Patient navigators are healthcare professionals whose specialty is improving outcomes by helping keep patients informed about next steps and best practices in dealing with the complexities of the healthcare system.
Patient navigator trainees, event organizers and facilitators in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Damaris Lent
Julie Armin, PhD, a Cancer Center member, medical anthropologist and event co-facilitator, said multiple studies have shown that involving dedicated navigators in the lives of cancer patients as they face the challenge of a diagnosis can improve health outcomes, especially among populations that face disparities in access to cancer care.
Armin, who is also an assistant professor of family and community medicine at the U of A College of Medicine—Tucson, co-leads the engagement core with Nicky Teufel-Shone, PhD, at Northern Arizona University. “Through sustained engagement with community health representatives over the past few years, our team learned of a strong desire for continuing education in cancer control,” Armin said. “Participants in the training were excited to share their new knowledge and skills with their communities.”
In addition to completing the online modules, participants engaged in group discussions and strategy sessions focused on addressing barriers to cancer care for patients and families in their communities. Throughout the program, participants heard from guest speakers and received dedicated time and staff support to complete the coursework in a collaborative learning environment.
Armin said that patient navigators help individuals overcome practical and systemic barriers — from transportation and insurance challenges to understanding complex treatment plans. “Investing in training and support for Community Health Representatives is an important step toward improving timely access to screening, diagnosis and treatment in Native American communities,” Armin said.
Organizers said they plan to continue offering related educational opportunities to support cancer prevention and care efforts in partnership with tribal and community organizations across the state.
The Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention was established in 2002 as a collaboration between the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Northern Arizona University. Funded by a U54 grant from the National Cancer Institute, it is part of their Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health program.