Azra AI is proud to highlight Tiffany Canipe as the Oncology Hero for December 2024. As an Oncology Patient Services Navigator at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, Tiffany has dedicated herself to helping patients navigate the complexities of cancer care. Her inspiring journey—from being an elementary school teacher to transitioning into healthcare—reflects her deep commitment to serving others and making a real difference in the lives of those facing cancer.
A Servant Heart for Helping Others
Tiffany's passion for helping others has always been at the core of her professional journey. “From being an elementary school teacher for many years to jumping into the healthcare field just shy of three years ago, I have always had a servant heart for helping others,” she shares. Her dedication to supporting others is evident in her role as a navigator, where she goes above and beyond to ensure patients receive the care and resources they need. “I tend to focus on the health and well-being of others,” Tiffany adds. “I will go above and beyond to do the detective work of finding answers and resources to make things more accessible for patients and my team, as I did with my students in the classroom.”
Daily Motivation: Teamwork and Patient Connections
One of Tiffany’s main sources of motivation comes from her team and leadership. “My team & leadership because we all work together to continuously strive to not only support one another but continue to grow and make this program successful,” she says. Tiffany finds inspiration in her personal connections with patients, too. “When getting to know the patients during a call, hearing their backstory. You get to know them on a more personal level, you ultimately think of it as taking care of a friend or family member. You want the very best for them!”
Impactful Moments in Navigating Cancer Care
Tiffany’s role as a navigator often involves emotional moments that reaffirm the importance of her work. She recalls one touching moment when a patient left a voicemail for her leader, saying, "I take care of her. She has severe anxiety and that whenever she talks to me, I calm her down." “It brings it full circle to why I love being a navigator and creating a positive experience for patients in what can be a very overwhelming moment in their own lives,” Tiffany reflects.
Overcoming Barriers: Providing Access to Care
As an oncology patient services navigator, Tiffany helps patients overcome a variety of barriers. “Providing resources and points of contact for those that do not have health insurance, lack of care (possibly no PCP or access to care), are homeless, or do not have transportation,” she explains. She emphasizes the importance of technology in providing access, including telehealth consultations for patients facing transportation challenges. “This provides patients who live a significant distance away or have no transportation a way to proceed with continuation of care.”
The Role of Technology in Oncology Care
Tiffany recognizes the importance of technology in oncology care, particularly in improving communication and care coordination. “Technology plays a vital role in oncology care from the text message/email reminders about upcoming appointments, to obtaining outside records and communicating with other healthcare facilities, to the equipment that is utilized to complete imaging scans, to conducting various procedures, and even down to AZRA being utilized to identify high-risk criteria in imaging reports.”
Azra AI is honored to recognize Tiffany for her exceptional work and unwavering commitment to helping others through some of their most challenging moments. Check out our full conversation with Tiffany in the video below!
In addition to the Oncology Hero recognition, Azra AI has made a contribution to the charity of Tiffany’s choice in the month of December 2024. Tiffany's charity of choice is the Hospice of the Valley, in loving memory of her mother, who used to volunteer with the organization. Please join us in donating to this organization this month!
