About Us

Mission  
Support evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare through certification, education, research, and communication throughout the United States.
Vision 
Serve as a nationally recognized provider of patient navigation certification, education, research, and communication.


​Welcome to the “Institute”

  • ​​​A private nonprofit 501 (c)3 dedicated to improving patient navigation throughout the United States.
  • Aligning standards to findings and guidance from the National Navigation Roundtable.
  • Implementing and maintainaining professional standards for all patient navigation professionals.
  • ​A member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence – the primary U.S. credentialing standards agency.
  • Certifying patient navigation professionals who meet national professional standards.
  • Coordinating patient-centered research through patient navigation professionals.
  • Certifying organizations whose patient navigation training addresses national professional standards.
  • Growing patient navigation professionalism through ongoing development activities and networks.​​

​What is a “Patient Navigator” or Advocate?

A patient navigation professional is a member of the healthcare team, working with physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers, case managers, coaches, and medical assistants as they guide the patient and family through a complex health care continuum. The patient navigation professional is the patient’s advocate. The scope includes:
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Serving as the voice of the patient in healthcare settings.

  • Assisting with patient care and health compliance behavior. 
  • Reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
  • Facilitating relationships between healthcare organizations, physicians, insurance companies, services, and patients.  

Patient Navigation and Advocacy – Scope of Practice
                                                            Categories – Definitions

                                                            Patient Navigation Professional Code of Ethics
                                                            Certified Professional Patient Navigator Competencies 
​                                                            Institute Consulting Services


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Patient-Centered Education & Research Institute
9714 Southern Breeze Lane
​Louisville, KY 40299
270-883-2775
office@patient-institute.org


Institute Board of Directors and Staff

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Dr. Linda Alexander is the Chief Academic Officer for the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). She is responsible for the overall mission of ASPPH as the lead academic officer for program initiatives, activities that support education, accreditation, practice, professional development, workforce development and data management. She works collaboratively with ASPPH members, stakeholders, academic and practice national and global partner organizations and institutions, to enhance educational excellence to prepare and strengthen the public health workforce. She brings over 30 years of strategic leadership, engagement, and collaborative partnerships with federal, state, and local organizations in advancing science, informing policies, and preparing the workforce through roles in academia, federal agencies, and community-based non-government organizations. Prior to becoming Chief Academic Officer in 2022 she led efforts to advance training in cultural competence, establishing learning environments free from discrimination and harassment, and co-authoring a framework that provides a blueprint for dismantling structural racism in academic settings. In addition to many educational certifications and trainings, Dr. Alexander has completed the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Certification program, implicit bias training, cultural competence training and presented numerous workshops on centering inclusive excellence as part of student learning,  

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Tracy Book Diers, RN, BSN, LNC, MSA, CPPN is the former vice-president, owner, and co-founder of Diversified Nurse Consultants, based in New Albany, Indiana. Diversified Nurse Consultants provides individualized, innovative, holistic care navigation for elders and those with chronic conditions and champions education and advocacy to improve health and wellness in the community. She has experiences in clinical care, case management, private insurance, staff and patient education, and more. She recognizes gaps in the healthcare system and opportunities for community engagement and education. Ms. Book maintains an active professional membership in the American Nurse Association and KNA as well as the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants. She completed Community Health Worker (CHW) training through the Rural Health Initiative at the University of Kentucky and is involved and on the External Review Board of the Indiana CHW Association (INCHWA).  Ms. Diers is a Certified Professional Patient Navigator (CPPN).  

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Candy Pettry, BSN, RN, CPPN, BF-CMT is the first Eldercare Navigator at the University of Kentucky HealthCare in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a certified professional patient navigator (CPPN) through the Patient Centered Education and Research Institute. Candy’s expertise with the aging population combined with 33 years of healthcare experience in nursing, patient education, and Medicare/Medicaid regulations including hospitals and long-term care is an asset in defining the Eldercare Navigator role and the launch of navigation services to the aging population.  In her position at the University of Kentucky HealthCare Eldercare Navigator, she is responsible for the execution of services and instrumental in the development of the program.

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Dr. Angela Roesler is Dean of Health and Public Safety at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau, Wisconsin. Dr. Roesler worked as an RN in medical/surgical and intensive care units before beginning launching a transition of care program in the hospital setting. This successful foray into health navigation led to an opportunity to create a Care Management program to provide further collaboration between the acute care setting and the care transition team. In 2015, Angela was awarded the Rising Star award from the State of Wyoming Rural Care Transition program. In 2016, Dr. Roesler wrote the curriculum for the Health Navigator Associate Degree program for Northcentral Technical College which was later implemented across the Wisconsin Technical College System. She was  awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Outstanding Faculty award twice during her time as a nursing program faculty member. She served as the Associate Dean and the Dean of Nursing at Northcentral Technical College and has most recently moved into the role of Dean of Health and Public Safety. 

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Dr. Mark Mckinney is Associate Dean of Academic Affairs & Retention Services for the East Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) in the Tampa Bay Florida area. Dr. McKinney has over 25 years of service in healthcare administration, higher education, emergency management and strategic planning. Dr. McKinney served eighteen yrars as a healthcare administration, operations, planning and information technology officer for the U.S. Army prior to his retirement in 2014. Dr. McKinney has experience with healthcare information technology along with Lean Six Sigma. Dr. McKinney received his doctorate from the University of New England and has eight information technology certifications. He is a member of the America College of Healthcare Executives, the Health Information Management System Society and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for his combat service with the U.S. Army and the ACHE Service Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Institute Staff

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Dr, Brian E. Daly, Ed.D. is an educator with over forty years in Higher Education, economic development, and nonprofit management.  He has taught graduate courses in research and statistics and is a past Senior Director of Webster University graduate campuses in Kentucky.  He has experiences in healthcare assessment with an emphasis on Lean Hospitals and has been a Malcolm Baldridige examiner.. Dr. Daly focused his professional writings on constructivist approaches to education and has expertise in learning assessment.

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Nancy Garth, BSN, RN, CLNC, FCN, CPPN, LDE has over 40 years of experience in clinical education, supervision, medical management, direct inpatient/ outpatient centered care/coordination/navigation, and ambulatory care nursing. She recently retired as the Clinical Health Education Coordinator for UK HealthCare Polk Dalton Clinic in Lexington, KY which provides Primary Care in an ambulatory care setting. She is a Register Nurse, a Licensed Diabetic Educator, a Faith Community Nurse (Parish Nurse), a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, and a Certified Professional Patient Navigator.  Mrs. Garth is the Clinical Director for the Institute. 

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June “Kelly” McCann, MHA, BCom has over 25 years in healthcare administration at hospitals, large private physician practices, and home healthcare.  She is an adjunct faculty member at Webster University and other institutions teaching healthcare administration. She is especially versed in effective healthcare communications. Ms. McCann is the Director of Business Development.

Patient-Centered Education & Research Institute
Phone: 270.883.2775
 Email: office@patient-institute.org