For a woman arriving for a routine mammogram, learning that something unusual has appeared on her screening can be frightening.
Suddenly, a visit that seemed routine brings unexpected questions, uncertainty and the possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis.
What happens next? Will she need a biopsy? How long will she have to wait for answers? And who can help her through the process?
At FMOL Health | St. Francis, women facing these concerns have someone dedicated to helping them navigate those first uncertain steps.
As a patient navigator at the Kitty DeGree Breast Health Center, Tedi Jolley, RN, helps women understand their next steps, coordinates biopsies and provides compassionate support during one of the most stressful moments in their healthcare journey.
For Jolley, that support begins with a simple goal: making sure every woman knows she has someone in her corner.
Meeting a Need for Women’s Health
Recognizing the importance of personalized guidance for women undergoing breast evaluations, St. Francis recently reintroduced a dedicated patient navigator position.
Jolley joined the team in June 2026, bringing 35 years of nursing experience and a passion for women’s health. Her role helps bridge the gap between an abnormal mammogram and the next steps in care, providing women with a familiar face and a dependable resource throughout the evaluation process.
When additional testing is needed, Jolley meets individually with patients to explain procedures, answer questions and coordinate appointments. Her involvement also allows other members of the breast health team to continue providing imaging services while patients receive dedicated attention.
“I feel like this position is kind of evolving,” Jolley says. “I see this growing, and my responsibilities, I feel like they’re going to grow and be different, too.”
A New Chapter of Service
Jolley’s return to St. Francis marks a meaningful new chapter in a nursing career dedicated to caring for others.
She previously spent 14 years working in women and children’s services at St. Francis before transitioning to the school system, where she served for another 21 years.
After retiring from the school system in May, Jolley planned to begin a quieter chapter of life. However, an opportunity to return to St. Francis as a patient navigator captured her attention.
She took just one week off before beginning her new position on June 1.
For Jolley, the decision came naturally. Caring for women and children had always been especially meaningful, and the opportunity to support women facing the possibility of breast cancer felt like a calling.
“Serving women and children has always been on my heart,” Jolley says. “This is just that new season, that journey in my life where I can be a point person to try to help them through it.”
Guiding Patients Through the Unknown
When a mammogram reveals an area requiring further evaluation, Jolley becomes an important source of information and reassurance.
She sits down with patients to explain why a biopsy may be needed, what the procedure involves and what they can expect afterward. She also helps schedule biopsies, typically within the following week when possible, to reduce the uncertainty of waiting for another appointment.
Patients receive educational materials they can review at home, especially helpful when anxiety makes it difficult to absorb information during an appointment.
On biopsy day, Jolley remains with the patient alongside the radiologist and radiologic technologist. Following the procedure, she assists with post-procedure care and reviews recovery instructions.
Her involvement continues as the team awaits pathology results, which generally return within two to three days. Jolley helps ensure referring physicians receive those results promptly so patients can learn their findings and move forward with any necessary consultations.
When additional treatment is needed, the patient’s physician coordinates referrals for surgical or oncology care. Jolley remains available to help patients obtain imaging records, reports and other information.
Throughout the process, her priority is easing the anxiety that often accompanies unfamiliar medical procedures.
“I think it would have to be probably stress and anxiety over the procedure,” Jolley says. “I just try to help talk them through it and make it as less stressful as possible.”
For women across Northeast Louisiana, having this guidance available locally provides an additional layer of support during an emotionally challenging experience.
A Familiar Face and a Lasting Connection
Although Jolley has been in her position only a few months, she has already seen how much a reassuring presence can mean to patients.
Some women contact her after leaving the breast center, including after surgery, to express their appreciation for the compassion and encouragement they received. Others simply find comfort knowing there is someone they can call with questions.
These connections reinforce Jolley’s belief that compassionate care can make a meaningful difference, even during a difficult diagnosis.
She also incorporates her faith into the support she offers, giving every biopsy patient a prayer card before leaving.
“I feel like part of my purpose in this role is to be a familiar face for the patient, letting them know that we’re praying for them,” Jolley says. “We pray for good results, but it’s not always the case. I’m here to support them as needed.”
Jolley says she hopes more women recognize the importance of having a supportive care team and following through with recommended screenings and evaluations. She also wants the community to understand the dedication of the team at the Kitty DeGree Breast Health Center.
“We just strive to ease their fears and answer their questions and make what can be an overwhelming, stressful time feel less difficult by ensuring that they’re not alone.”
