Media release: Cancer Navigators, Inc. a nonprofit based in Rome, Ga. was awarded the 2nd Annual
Matt Mumber Visionary Award by the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO) and Georgia
CORE – the Center for Oncology, Research and Education. The award was announced on Sept. 7
at GASCO's Annual Meeting and includes a $2,000 grant funded by GASCO and Georgia CORE –
founding partners of Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia (CPNG). .
"Cancer Navigators is well deserving of this award. Since their inception, Cancer Navigators
has been a pioneer in exploring ways to implement and expand cancer patient navigation to the
patients in their Northwest Georgia community," said GASCO director Karen Beard. "GASCO
and Georgia CORE are pleased to recognize the dedication of these outstanding individuals and the
medical community that supports their work."
Cancer Navigators is a community-based nonprofit that has been working cooperatively
with local healthcare partners for more than five years and making a tremendous difference in the
lives of thousands of cancer patients in at least five rural Georgia counties. The goal is to improve
the quality of the cancer care experience for the cancer patient from initial screening and diagnosis
and into survivorship or end-of life care. All services are free to patients and their caregivers who are
supported in their journey by a dedicated team of nurses, educators, social workers and volunteers
working in coordination with the patient's physicians.
"Our patients are what motivate us. They inspire us with their courage and hope, and we
offer them reassurance, resources and renewal," says Charlotte Atkins, executive director.
The Matt Mumber Visionary Award was established by the leadership of CPNG and
named in honor of a radiation oncologist from Rome who used personal and professional capital to
champion the concept of better patient care through increased access to trained patient navigators
for Georgia families affected by cancer.
"The award seeks to recognize a program that shares the CPNG vision to improve each
cancer patient's personal experience, quality of care and quality of life throughout the entire
continuum of care," said Georgia CORE director Angie Patterson. "Cancer Navigators does this
tenfold, and they intend to use the grant to implement a lay navigation program using volunteers –
mainly survivors, which aligns with the lay navigation training module pilot developed by CPNG."
Criteria for the award includes a demonstration of Dr. Mumber's passion to care for
the whole patient; courage and innovation in advancing the workforce of patient navigators and
community health workers; and an ability to bridge traditional medicine with innovations (including
alternative/complementary medicine, use of communication technology) to improve patient
"We are so honored to receive this statewide award," said Atkins. "It is extra special for
us since it bears the name of Rome's Dr. Matt Mumber, who is at the forefront on integrative
For more information about the Matt Mumber Visionary Award or the Cancer Patient
Navigators of Georgia, please visit www gacancerpatientnavigators.org. For more information
about Cancer Navigators, please visit cancernavigators.org.
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