Athens, Ga. (October 14, 2019) – Sandy Pyle, RN, has always been passionate about the oncology world, starting her nursing career in Piedmont Athens Regional’s oncology unit more than 20 years ago. When she landed a position as a cancer navigator five years ago, however, her role as a caregiver shifted, and she found her calling by supporting and caring for cancer patients and survivors in a new, different way.
Pyle first started working at Piedmont Athens Regional in the late-1990s, working night shifts to care for the hospital’s cancer patients.
“It was through this job that I was introduced to one of the founders of the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support, Susan Nemetz,” Pyle said. “She was working in a social work and nurse navigation role for the center and would work frequently on our floor, providing support services to cancer patients.”
When it came time for Nemetz to retire, she recommended Pyle for the position. “I accepted the role and haven’t looked back since,” Pyle said.
Though she loved her position as a nurse, she now enjoys being able to touch patients throughout the Athens-area community and support them in ways she never could before.
As the Loran Smith Center’s only nurse navigator, Pyle helps guide patients through the many obstacles a cancer diagnosis can bring, providing tools and resources and connecting patients to other healthcare services they need.
Pyle frequently makes trips to the hospital’s surgical unit to visit with cancer patients; for example, providing breast cancer patients who’ve recently undergone surgery with resources, like information about the Beautiful You Mastectomy Boutique, a free boutique located on the Piedmont Athens Regional campus that specializes in products for women who have had or are going to have breast surgery. She also works closely with patients one-on-one at the center.
Pyle works with people who have all types of cancers; however, she works most often with women who are battling or have had breast cancer because of its prevalence.
“One piece of the job that was very challenging for me at first, but that I really enjoy helping with is the coordination of the Breast Cancer Support Group,” Pyle said.
The support group is open to women at any stage in their breast cancer journey, and, like all of the services the Loran Smith Center provides, is free of charge.
“I facilitate the monthly meetings, but the support group is what those attending need it to be,” Pyle said. “The discussions revolve around any issues these breast cancer patients are dealing with, and others in the group provide insight and support.” As the facilitator, Pyle serves as a guide to the discussion, using her nursing background to jump in with clinical guidance as needed.
The Breast Cancer Support Group meets on a monthly basis and is one of many support groups that the Loran Smith Center plays host to, though Pyle only facilitates the breast cancer and gynecologic cancer groups.
The Loran Smith Center, funded through the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation, provides services and programs like yoga, nutrition classes, therapies and counseling for anyone affected by cancer at any phase in the cancer journey – regardless of where an individual receives his or her cancer treatment.
“I never knew what it was like to truly find your calling until I started my work here as a cancer navigator,” Pyle said. “It’s amazing to hear how our center’s services have made a difference in the lives of many cancer patients in our community.”