Mandi Pratt-Chapman, MA
DirectorThe George Washington University Cancer Institute
Washington, DC
Mandi Pratt-Chapman, MA is Director of the George Washington University (GW) Cancer Institute and Associate Center Director, Patient-Centered Care and Health Equity at the GW Cancer Center. She is responsible for strategically planning and implementing patient-centered initiatives and addressing significant health equity challenges in Washington, DC. The GW Cancer Institute’s vision is a cancer-free world and health care that is patient-centered, accessible and equitable. Its mission is to foster healthy communities, prepared patients, responsive health care professionals and supportive health care systems through applied cancer research, education, advocacy and translation of evidence to practice.
Ms. Pratt-Chapman currently Chairs the Guideline Committee for the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC). The committee is streamlining ACCC guidelines to be user-friendly to practitioners and administrators. She also served on the Steering Committee for ACCC’s 2015 Supportive Care Summit, where national leaders convened to advance implementation of Commission on Cancer continuum of care standards for patient navigation, cancer survivorship and distress screening.
Ms. Pratt-Chapman’s research has addressed clinical guideline development and workforce capacity to advance patient-centered care and health equity. Specifically, Ms. Pratt-Chapman serves as co-Principal Investigator for the National Cancer Survivorship Resource Center and has co-authored four holistic clinical practice guidelines on breast, prostate, colorectal and head and neck cancer survivorship care. She also led the development of national, consensus-based core competencies for Oncology Patient Navigators and the development of a free, online training to elevate standards and provide all navigators access to training to build competencies. She chairs a task force for the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators to initiate a certification process for Oncology Patient Navigators in 2016.
Ms. Pratt-Chapman is Principal Investigator for two Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute-funded projects to inform health services standards for cancer survivorship and catalyze dissemination and implementation of evidence-based cancer survivorship and patient navigation practices. Under her leadership, her capable team provides technical assistance to CDC-funded comprehensive cancer control programs in the areas of patient navigation, cancer survivorship, evidence-based communication strategies, and policy and systems change.
Looking ahead, Ms. Pratt-Chapman is developing a task force to examine standards for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) data collection, develop use cases for transgender cancer patients and create and disseminate recommendations for care for this significantly underserved population.
Authored Articles
November 7, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Consider starting meditation as a way to keep yourself healthy.
November 1, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Here are some educational resources for patient navigators just getting into the field.
October 22, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
This free, on-demand training is a valuable resource to help those who are at any step along the way in creating or sustaining a navigation or survivorship program.
October 9, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
It’s important to find ways to remind yourself and your team to slow down and greet every patient and be mindful of individuals’ personal needs.
September 20, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Signs can go a long way to help people feel comfortable.
September 11, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
A printable card helps patients prompt conversations with their patient navigators and the rest of the healthcare team.
August 22, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
This toolkit is a great resource to foster cultural sensitivity and equitable healthcare for people of different backgrounds.
August 1, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Mandi Pratt-Chapman, MA, shares a road map developed for cancer programs to conduct community needs assessments focusing on disparities and barriers to care.
July 18, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Mandi Pratt-Chapman shares a free, Excel-based tool to help patient navigators document, track, and generate reports for their programs.
July 3, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
A helpful toolkit for oncology care professionals from The George Washington Cancer Center.
June 19, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Learn how to communicate better with patients with this online training course.
June 7, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Learn the basics of oncology patient navigation with this online training offered by the George Washington University Cancer Center.
May 23, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Take advantage of this online training program from the George Washington University Cancer Center.
May 9, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
This caregiving tool kit aids family and friends in providing care to patients with cancer.
April 26, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Use this social media toolkit to implement best practices in communicating about adolescent and young adult cancer.
April 13, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers, Survivorship
This training webinar addresses the topic of prostate cancer survivorship among sexual and gender minorities, and how to provide appropriate care for this population.
March 29, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Look for opportunities to advocate on behalf of your patients.
March 14, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
A navigation network can aid in completing goals in continuing education.
February 28, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Employing coping mechanisms can help you respond to stress.
February 14, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
If you are looking for ways to improve your delivery of care, resources are available to navigators.
January 31, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
With the new year comes thoughts of professional development.
January 18, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
This can help aid in accessing and addressing patients’ needs.
January 4, 2018 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
It is important to demonstrate empathy, integrity, honesty, and compassion in difficult conversations with patients and family members.
December 15, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Keeping track of your responsibilities and duties could help to further develop your patient navigation program.
December 2, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
The power imbalance between patients and providers cannot be overstated. As a navigator, you should assess patient understanding by assessing patients’ capacity to self-advocate, and help them optimize time with their doctors and treatment team (eg. prioritize questions, clarify information with treatment team).
November 26, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
One way to improve upon your professional skills is to perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities so you can help identify these patients.
November 9, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
As a support provider to patients as they move through the healthcare system, a patient avigator must be educated and trained to effectively address the continually evolving needs of their patients.
October 25, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
You can demonstrate a responsiveness to patient needs within scope of practice and professional boundaries.
October 11, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Navigators should encourage active communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes.
September 26, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
You can help to reduce cancer health disparities among people who are Latino. You can accomplish this by working with other health professionals to establish and maintain a climate of mutual respect, dignity, diversity, ethical integrity, and trust.
September 13, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Transgender people persistently experience discrimination and inequality in all aspects of their life, including healthcare.
August 26, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
In order to optimize access to care across the cancer continuum including the most vulnerable patients, it's important to organize and prioritize your resources. One particular community is the LGBT community.
August 10, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
One important aspect of navigating is giving your patients the feeling of empowerment. Talk to your patients about having them communicate their preferences and priorities for treatment to their healthcare team, and help facilitate shared decision-making in the patient’s healthcare.
August 1, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
As patient navigators, it is important to demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population, including but not limited to diversity in gender, age, culture, race, religion, abilities, and sexual orientation. Navigators are essential to connecting patients with information that is accessible and understandable.
July 18, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Whether to keep or repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains a matter of congressional debate. The ACA provides important protections for cancer patients, including not allowing health insurance plans to deny or limit coverage because of a cancer diagnosis.
June 30, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Navigators should be aware of health literacy in their patients, and identify appropriate and credible resources responsive to patient needs (practical, social, physical, emotional, spiritual). Navigators need to take into consideration reading level, health literacy, culture, language and amount of information desired.
June 20, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
As a navigator, it’s important to set learning and improvement goals, and identify and perform learning activities that address one’s gaps in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities.
June 7, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Navigators have a critical role in highlighting system bottlenecks and health care inefficiencies. At the GW Cancer Center, largely due to patient navigators speaking up, a policy advocacy effort was prioritized to improve access to chemotherapy for Medicaid patients.
May 23, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
One aspect navigators should consider learning is how to communicate effectively with patients, families, and the public to build trusting relationships across a broad range of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
May 3, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators are critical in getting patients into guideline-adherent colorectal cancer screening.
April 25, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
It is important for navigators to take a holistic view of their patients knowing their medical history and even other variables that could affect their health, such as their sexual orientation. You may ask why sexual orientation is important, and the reasoning is that the LGBTQ is at greater risk for certain cancers. For example, did you know that lesbian and bisexual women have a greater risk for more aggressive breast cancer? Or, did you know gay men have a higher risk for anal cancer?
April 13, 2017 | Membership Testimonials | Role of the Navigator
Mandi Pratt-Chapman helps clarify the roles of the nurse navigator, patient navigator, and social worker, and how they all work together to further the needs to the patient and the institution.
April 12, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Accurate recordkeeping is important for patient safety, quality of care, and system improvements. Grant-funded navigators use data to show the funder the impact of their work with patients.
March 17, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patients come into the healthcare system with various levels of health literacy, experience, and comfort with the professionals and systems in which they find themselves. Patient navigators work to assess the patient’s capacity to self-advocate and to make informed decisions regarding their care. Navigators also work behind the scenes with members of the health care team to educate them about each patient’s unique needs including their strengths as well as areas where they may need more assistance.
March 8, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
The patient navigator plays a vital role in assuring that the patient has access to the resources and services that they need to optimize their wellness. Ongoing support to encourage adherence to the agreed-upon treatment plan is also critical.
February 22, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigation is still a new profession, so navigators often must clarify role boundaries with their colleagues and with patients. Navigators collaborate with colleagues to determine the best health care team member to answer patient questions.
February 19, 2017 | Certification
Patient navigation addresses barriers and facilitates timely access to quality standard care by providing individualized assistance to patients, survivors and families.
February 2, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators are often the “go-to resource” person for patients and their loved ones. This relationship is based on trust and accessibility. Patients rely on navigators to provide timely, relevant, and accurate information.
January 17, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers, Standardized Metrics
Navigation programs can help with sustainability of the field by capturing core metrics on barriers identified, interventions to reduce barriers, numbers and types of patients served.
January 10, 2017 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators have a basic and ever-expanding knowledge of medical and cancer terminology. If a navigator does not have the knowledge necessary to answer patient questions, they may refer the patient to other members of the health care team.
December 16, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
All of the team members on the cancer care team are critical to help patients meet their treatment and survivorship goals. The patient navigator can help the patient understand all of the roles on the health care team and what the patient and their loved ones can expect from each person.
December 13, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
The work of patient navigators can be complex, chaotic, and at times, confusing. Cancer care is constantly evolving, which means that patient needs and challenges cannot always be solved easily. Patient navigators must be comfortable with ambiguity and should work to advocate for and utilize resources and services that best fit patient needs.
November 30, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators should work with colleagues to ensure a professional environment that fosters a community of respect, dignity, diversity, ethical integrity, and trust.
November 1, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
One of the most challenging times for cancer survivors is the transitions at different points in the care continuum: screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and end of life care. These are often the points at which patients “fall through the cracks” because they may not know what questions to ask, whom to have a conversation with, how to access the resources or services they need, or what to do next.
October 18, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators will work with a variety of patients with diverse backgrounds including people of different genders, ages, cultures, races, religions, abilities, and sexual orientations.
October 3, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
A cancer diagnosis can create extreme stress for some patients. As such, patient navigators should exhibit insight and understanding about emotions and human response to emotions to create and maintain positive interpersonal interactions.
September 16, 2016 | Video Library | Networking and Community
Mandi Pratt-Chapman muses about what's in store for the organization in the years to come.
September 15, 2016 | Video Library | Role of the Navigator
Mandi Pratt-Chapman helps clarify the roles of the nurse navigator, patient navigator, and social worker, and how they all work together to further the needs to the patient and the institution.
September 14, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators should continually be seeking new information that can benefit their patients. This includes the identification, understanding, analysis, and use of resources and services for cancer patients with a myriad of needs.
September 2, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators have a responsibility to stay up-to-date on leading edge evidence-based information and resources. This includes scholarly journal articles, information in popular media outlets, books, and emerging content important to their area of practice.
August 30, 2016 | Membership Testimonials
Mandi Pratt-Chapman encourages navigators to attend the AONN+ annual and regional meetings to meet and forge relationships with peers.
August 30, 2016 | Membership Testimonials
Mandi Pratt-Chapman ruminates on why getting certified is particularly important for patient navigators.
August 30, 2016 | Membership Testimonials
Mandi Pratt-Chapman describes the benefits of the General Patient Navigation Certification.
August 19, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
It’s tough when you work with a patient and their loved ones and things take a turn for the worse. This can be especially challenging for you as they try to process news such as death.
August 9, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient self-determination is a critical component of quality cancer care. This means that patients should be involved in a shared decision making process and that their priorities and preferences should be respected by the healthcare team.
July 27, 2016 | Annual Conference Testimonials
Mandi Pratt-Chapman encourages navigators to attend the AONN+ annual and regional meetings to meet and forge relationships with peers.
July 25, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators should continuously evaluate their professional role and any perceived or actual conflicts of interest with their personal life.
July 7, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators should have a list of resources at their fingertips in order to assist patients with a variety of different challenges. They should also know which resources are credible and can be most helpful to particular patients.
June 23, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patients often lean on their navigators to ask questions, seek information, and get the “bottom line” in terms of their treatment and care. Trust is an integral part of this relationship and navigators simply cannot competently do their job without a deep level of trust with the patient.
June 9, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
There are core concepts critical to the work of a navigator. Empathy, integrity, honesty, and compassion are central to working with patients who may be confused, frightened, or overwhelmed.
June 1, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigation is an evolving profession and many navigators do a significant amount of learning on the job. As such, it’s imperative that navigators are open to constructive criticism and feedback from members of the healthcare team, and even patients.
April 27, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
When patients receive a cancer diagnosis, they often want information on how to best manage their own health and wellness. Navigators can provide health promotion information and encourage patients to understand their cancer treatment and how to plan for a future of health.
April 4, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
One of the top barriers facing cancer patients is how they will cope financially with treatment and care. Patient navigators are often faced with patients who need help understanding their medical bills and finding ways to pay for their care.
March 8, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigation is a dynamic profession, and cancer care is an ever-evolving field. It is imperative that navigators invest in ongoing learning activities to enhance their knowledge and skill set.
February 22, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators have a unique role in working to reduce health disparities and promote health equity in underserved communities.
February 16, 2016 | Articles & Whitepapers | Certification
The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) is pleased to introduce the Oncology Patient Navigator–Certified Generalist (OPN-CG) credential. This credential is important for anyone who provides cancer navigation services and is not a nurse. For nurses, AONN+ is providing the Oncology Nurse Navigator – Certified Generalist credential (ONN-CG).
February 9, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigation is still a fairly new profession and, as such, navigators should tap into their expertise and experience to educate others about their role.
January 20, 2016 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators often serve as advocates with and on behalf of patients. A cancer diagnosis is a new experience for patients—one that thrusts them into a world of unknown terminology, overwhelming treatments and procedures, and complex systems.
December 23, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Oncology care is a team effort. Physicians, nurses, social workers, patient navigators, and a host of other team members work together to ensure the best possible patient care.
December 15, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
To operate more efficiently, patient navigators should consider adopting the following habits to improve organizational skills.
December 1, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Clinical Trials, Plus Pointers
Clinical trials are important because they help to study new ways to treat, diagnose, and prevent cancer, as well as manage symptoms and side effects from cancer treatment.
November 17, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Working with patients dealing with challenging medical conditions can be meaningful for many healthcare professionals. It can also lead to frustration and burnout.
October 21, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
In 1997, President Clinton established the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry to report on changes in the healthcare system and recommend ways to improve.
October 8, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News
Compared with other healthcare professions, patient navigation is still a relatively new discipline. Thus, significant confusion remains regarding the role, scope of practice, and ideal training and credentials for patient navigators.
October 8, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Patient Navigators, Plus Pointers
In May 2015, The George Washington University Cancer Institute launched free competency-based training for nonclinically licensed patient navigators.
September 10, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient-centered communication is effective communication that considers the information needs of patients and is sensitive to socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
June 18, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers, Survivorship
June 7th was National Cancer Survivors Day. Due to better screening and treatment, the number of cancer survivors is quickly growing.
June 3, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Dealing with ambiguity is a part of every patient navigator’s job. You may often be asked to make decisions without having all of the available information.
May 14, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patients who are involved in their care, including those from underserved populations, are more satisfied with their care, engage in healthier behaviors and frequently have better health outcomes.
May 1, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
All healthcare professionals should strive to provide culturally sensitive care.
April 16, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Last week was Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. Although cancer is a disease of the aging, 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year.
April 2, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Although their role is distinct, patient navigators do not work in silos but in collaboration with other health professionals.
March 20, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Professional development should be a major focus for patient navigators. Setting learning and improvement goals and participating in skill development and networking activities can address one’s gaps in knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities.
March 6, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
A special one-day track for nonclinically licensed oncology patient navigators is being offered at the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) Sixth Annual Navigation and Survivorship Conference in Atlanta on October 1-4, 2015.
February 20, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators support the smooth transition of patients across the cancer care continuum. By educating, assessing and working with patients, navigators can identify potential barriers at each stage of cancer care, including screening, diagnosis, active treatment, survivorship and/or end-of-life care.
January 8, 2015 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Patient navigators may be asked to contribute to the program evaluation process. Evaluation data are necessary to inform program development and implementation.
December 18, 2014 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Patient Advocacy/Empowerment, Plus Pointers
While patient navigators often serve as patient advocates on the health care team, encouraging patients to advocate for themselves is of equal importance.
December 5, 2014 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
Are you just starting your patient navigation program? Or do you feel like you are a one-person show?
November 21, 2014 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
As a patient navigator, you are a critical member of the cancer care team by helping patients access treatment and supportive services.
November 7, 2014 | Navigation and Survivorship News | Plus Pointers
AONN recently became AONN+ to expand the reach of its professional network to include all patient navigators. If you are a non-clinically licensed navigator, the plus is for you!
February 27, 2014 | Video Library | Tumor Boards
Mandi Pratt-Chapman, MA discusses the critical role of the navigator in multidisciplinary care in defining barriers for the patient. Bringing these issues to the team provides the patient with a higher quality of life.
January 14, 2014 | Articles & Whitepapers
In 2013, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a workshop summary, Leveraging Culture to Address Health Inequalities: Examples from Native Communities. I was struck by a number of things that are both timely and applicable to the unique challenges faced by the cancer community in America and to patient navigators in particular.
August 15, 2013 | Video Library
Mandi Pratt Chapman, MA, talks about a number of additional opportunities and benefits that membership in AONN offers in addition to the annual conference, including numerous learning opportunities.
July 31, 2013 | Video Library | Clinical Pearls
Mandi Pratt Chapman, MA, has some advice for new navigators, including how to craft their own “elevator speech” that clearly identifies what, as a navigator, you do.
April 26, 2013 | Annual Conference Testimonials
Mandi Pratt Chapman, MA, shares her thoughts on the excellent opportunity that the AONN+ Annual Conference offers oncology nurse navigators for networking and sharing best practices.
Last modified: April 26, 2018
