WICKENBURG, AZ – July,18 2019, Rena Koeneke, RT(R), CT, M, US (AB), CBDT, CN-BI, Wickenburg Community Hospital (WCH) Medical Imaging Supervisor and Breast Center Lead Mammographer, has been recognized as a Breast Patient Certified Navigator in Diagnostic Imaging, by the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC). The certification commenced in March, 2019 during the NCBC conference in Las Vegas.
The National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) is an interdisciplinary organization committed to the development, maintenance, advancement and improvement of the highest quality, patient-focused Breast Centers. NCBC collaborated with the Harold P. Freeman patient navigation Institute ( HPFNI) in 2014 to develop its current Certification Program for breast patient navigators with a focus on setting standards and best-practices for all phases of the complex breast patient health care continuum including outreach, screening, diagnosis, treatment and end of life care.
Moving a patient through a breast care/cancer continuum is a complex and highly individualized process. Rena’s certification as a breast patient navigator reflects her advanced competency in this area of expertise beyond standard licensure requirements. The commitment to her patients, the community and her profession are exemplified by this achievement.
According to NCBC, “Benefits of certification to patients and families include: assurance that the provider of care is qualified and competent at a more than basic level; improved quality, safety and accuracy of care by advanced skilled professionals; expanded knowledge to be shared about choices and treatment options; more empowerment in decision making; and knowledge that the professional has shown the desire to improve their quality of patient care and service delivery.”
Rena is a registered radiologic technologist, by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) with additional certification in the areas of Computed Tomography, Mammography, Ultrasound, Bone Density and now Breast Patient Navigation. Rena began her career in medical imaging at Johnson County Medical Center in Tecumseh Nebraska before moving on to Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln. In 2001, Rena made the decision to relocate to Wickenburg where she has been able to pursue her passion in medical imaging in the Breast Center at Wickenburg Community Hospital.
“WCH Breast Center is the only center in Arizona, and one of 58 centers nationally, to be recognized as a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence by the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program (NQMBC). Becoming a certified patient navigator was a logical step in the ongoing commitment to provide world class medical care to our patients and our community. Early detection is key to breast cancer survival, and helping women navigate that journey is particularly rewarding.”- Rena Koeneke, RT(R), CT, M, US (AB), CBDT, CN-BI
A nonprofit organization established in 1926; Wickenburg Community Hospital, along with its Community Hospital Clinics located in Wickenburg, Wittman and Congress, is committed to providing quality health and wellness services where the patient, family and community come first. Wickenburg Community Hospital is federally designated as a Critical Access Hospital and state designated as a Level IV Trauma Center supporting the needs of residents and surrounding rural communities within approximately 3,300 square miles with state-of-the-art diagnostic, surgical and healthcare services.
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