Humans Who Heal: Barb Westlake, RN, BSN, MSN, Breast Care Nurse Navigator

Haywood Regional Medical Center continues its Humans Who Heal series by highlighting the compassionate team members who make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and families. This month's feature recognizes Barb Westlake, RN, BSN, MSN, Breast Care Nurse Navigator, whose dedication helps guide women through one of the most challenging journeys they may ever face.

What is your role at Haywood Regional Medical Center?

I've been part of Haywood Regional Medical Center since 2021 after spending 28 years as an emergency department nurse in Peoria, Illinois. As the Breast Care Nurse Navigator, I help patients understand each step of their breast health journey—from educating them before a biopsy to supporting them through a new breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I coordinate timely appointments, monitor abnormal mammogram follow-up, and stay alongside my patients until they receive a benign diagnosis or complete their cancer treatment. My goal is to make sure no one feels lost in the process and that nothing falls through the cracks.

What inspired you to go into healthcare?

I've wanted to be a nurse since I was six years old. My grandmother gave me a nurse's uniform when I was little, and I wore it every day. That passion has never left me. Caring for people has always been my calling, and I strive to treat every patient as though they were a member of my own family. Everyone deserves compassionate care and someone who will advocate for them.

What do you love most about your job?

The relationships are what mean the most to me. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis or facing the uncertainty of a biopsy can be overwhelming, and I'm honored to walk alongside women during those moments. Whether I'm helping coordinate appointments, answering questions, or simply listening, I want each patient to know they are supported. Building those relationships and helping ease their journey is one of the greatest privileges of my career.

How do you feel your work impacts patients or the community?

My role extends beyond the walls of the hospital. Throughout the year, I participate in community education events, including employee wellness programs and outreach focused on the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection. I also co-facilitate a monthly cancer support group with Kristina Zilakakis, creating a space where individuals living with cancer can find encouragement and connection.

One of the most meaningful programs we've helped build is a network of women who have completed treatment and volunteer to support others who are just beginning their own journey. Whether they're preparing for surgery, chemotherapy, or simply looking for someone who understands what they're experiencing, these women offer hope, reassurance, and firsthand encouragement. It's an incredible example of our community caring for one another.

Can you share a moment that has stayed with you?

There have been so many moments that have reinforced why I love what I do. One I'll never forget happened during the COVID-19 pandemic when we learned that our supply of donated wigs had run out and no additional shipments were available. Just days later, a woman I had never met walked into my office carrying a large bag filled with brand-new wigs, left them for our patients, and quietly walked away. To this day, I don't know who she was, but her kindness continues to inspire me.

Another moment happened recently when I stayed with a patient throughout her biopsy. She was frightened, so I held her hand, prayed with her, and remained by her side until the procedure was complete. She didn't want to let go of my hand, and that simple act of being present reminded me how powerful compassion can be.

What does healing mean to you?

Healing is much more than recovering physically. While it's important to regain strength after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, emotional healing is equally vital. Healing means working through fear and uncertainty, adjusting to life's changes, finding strength in family and friends, and connecting with others who truly understand the journey. Supporting both the physical and emotional needs of each patient is essential to providing complete care.

What’s something people might not know about your role or department?

One thing many people don't realize is how much work happens behind the scenes before a patient even arrives for a diagnostic mammogram. If someone has had mammograms performed at another facility—even in another state or before moving to our area—those prior images and reports are incredibly important. Comparing today's images to previous studies helps our radiologists identify even subtle changes and make the most accurate recommendations possible.

Our team spends countless hours coordinating with other facilities to obtain those prior mammograms and reports before a diagnostic appointment can take place. It's a detailed process that often goes unseen, but it's one of the most important parts of providing high-quality breast care. Our mammography technologists work tirelessly to gather those records so every patient receives the most complete and informed evaluation possible.

Through Humans Who Heal, Haywood Regional Medical Center is proud to recognize team members like Barb Westlake whose compassion, advocacy, and commitment help patients feel supported every step of their healthcare journey.