Mercy Medical Center nurse navigator receives Susan G. Komen Leslie’s Angel Award

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Tags: Mercy Medical Center , health care

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Mercy Medical Center’s Diane Wofsey, RN, BSN, nurse navigator with Mercy Breast Care Center, received the Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio 2019 Leslie’s Angel Award at the Komen Breast Cancer Survivors Symposium held October 26. Named in remembrance of breast cancer patient and activist Leslie Jones, the Leslie’s Angel Award recognizes the highest level of volunteerism, teamwork, enthusiasm, leadership and long-term commitment in the fight against breast cancer. Wofsey has dedicated the last 19 years of her nursing career to caring for and walking beside breast cancer patients and their families.

Wofsey began working at Mercy Medical Center in 1974. She spent 21 years caring for premature and sick babies in Mercy’s Neonatal Special Care Nursery before accepting a new position in 2000 as nurse navigator with Mercy Breast Care Center.

“As a nurse navigator, Diane provides support for cancer patients, guiding them and their loved ones through the journey of pre-diagnosis screening to survivorship,” said Nicole Haines, RN, BSN, OCN, director of Mercy Cancer Services.

“Diane has a unique ability to bond with people right away,” Haines said. “She makes them feel safe, and cared for, and puts them at ease from the moment she meets them.” 

In 2005, Wofsey was instrumental in starting a local chapter of the ANGEL (African American Women Nurturing and Giving Each Other Life) Network. Today, Mercy’s ANGEL Network has grown to 74 engaged members focused on reducing the number of breast cancer deaths among area African American women through early-detection programs, screening access and breast health education.

Wofsey has served on the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and Education Committees. She has also been part of the Stark County Minority Health Coalition. Wofsey is a member of the National Consortium of Breast Centers and certified in both breast imaging and cancer navigation.

Wofsey plans to retire on February 17, 2020. She chose February 17 because it will be 46 years to the day from her start date at Mercy Medical Center.

For more information about Mercy Breast Care Center, visit www.cantonmercy.org/cancer/breast-care-center

Mercy Medical Center is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.