Nurse Navigation

Karen Aaron, RN, BSN, OCN, CN, BN, Oncology Certified Nurse, has more than 25 years experience at Tahoe Forest Hospital. Karen has made enormous contributions to patient care efforts here, earning her Nurse of the Year recognition. She specializes in medical and radiation oncology nursing. Karen understands the key to recovery is establishing relationships with patients, and supporting them throughout their illness.

Kim Osburn, BSN, RN, has her BSN from Indiana University and has worked in Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Medical ICU, and pediatric and adult PACU.

“The personal care is so outstanding.”

• Help you understand your diagnosis and answer clinical questions
• Support in understanding medical terminology and medical test results
• Give you symptom management tools

• Assure appropriate and timely appointments
• Ensure clinicians have appropriate information for visit
• Assist with efficient scheduling of needed exams

• Coordinate resources including support, nutrition, massage and integrative therapies
• Introduce you to members of your treatment team

Abby Thomas, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, and Kim Osburn, RN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, discuss their roles at Tahoe Forest Cancer Center. With decades of nursing experience, both Abby and Kim help guide patients from the moment they are diagnosed with cancer, through treatment and beyond.

• Help you through issues that may arise, including transportation, finances, insurance, fear or anxiety, family support, communication

• Your treatment journey will have many steps that may take you to different locations and specialists throughout the health system

• Nurse navigators are champions for their patients, making sure they get everything they need for their treatment. As your journey evolves, your nurse navigator will remain a constant throughout your experience.

When faced with a cancer diagnosis, patients are forced to deal with a host of emotional, logistical and financial issues, making it difficult to focus on their treatment and their return to health. The Nurse Navigator Program at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center is designed help patients move easily through the process, so they can focus on healing.

Our nurse navigator is responsible for facilitating timely and appropriate care. She is there to provide support to you and your family, before during and after treatment. Our Nurse Navigator knows that your well-being and peace of mind are an essential part of your treatment.

All patients at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center receive navigation services at no cost.

For more information, please call (530) 309-1656.