June 24, 2025. By Antoinette Jasmine Charles.
Spine surgery is a turning point in many patients’ lives. For some, it restores mobility, alleviates debilitating pain, or even saves lives. Every year, an estimated 1.2 million spine surgeries are performed in the United States, and while the procedures themselves can be life-changing, the recovery process is often long and isolating. Patients face months of physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and lifestyle changes, navigating a maze of medical requirements with little guidance.
For patients like Katie Mackin, the journey can feel almost insurmountable. At just 34 years old, Katie was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. As a physician assistant, wife, and mother of an eight-month-old, she faced tumors that had spread to her spine, threatening paralysis. The tumors caused weakness in her foot and tingling in her hand. Overwhelmed and frightened by the statistics—showing a five-year survival rate of 31% for stage IV breast cancer—Katie clung to the hope offered by surgery. She underwent spine surgery to stabilize her spine and preserve her mobility.
Despite her medical background, Katie often felt overwhelmed during her recovery. “I was relearning to walk at the same time my son was learning to walk,” she said, encapsulating challenges she faced. She was able to confront these challenges with the support of family, friends, and healthcare providers.
Katie’s story is one of resilience and triumph, but it also underscores a glaring gap in the healthcare system for patients without strong support systems. Her journey highlights the urgent need for Spine Navigator Programs, which can ease the burdens of recovery, reduce anxiety, and ensure patients have access to the resources they need to heal.
The Problem: A Maze Without a Map
For many spine surgery patients, recovery is a labyrinth of appointments, therapies, and new physical limitations. The stakes are high: without proper support, patients risk poor outcomes, prolonged recovery times, and dissatisfaction with their care.
Katie’s story highlights these challenges. Despite her expertise as a physician assistant, she often felt unmoored. “There are so many times when I go home, and I think, ‘I work in medicine and I at least know how to advocate for myself. What happens to someone who doesn’t know the system?’” This isn’t just anecdotal. Research consistently shows that patients lacking adequate support are more likely to experience complications and setbacks. According to a study in The Spine Journal, effective care coordination during the perioperative period can reduce hospital readmissions and improve functional recovery. Yet, many patients like Katie are left to navigate this complex process without a roadmap.
Katie struggled with uncertainty about what activities were safe during her recovery, often fearing that a single misstep could undo her progress. “I was constantly afraid I would do something to set myself back,” she recalled. For many patients, this lack of clear guidance exacerbates feelings of vulnerability and frustration.
The Solution: Spine Navigator Programs
Spine Navigator Programs offer a simple yet profound solution: dedicated navigators who guide patients through their recovery journeys. These navigators—who may be medical trainees, nurses, or other healthcare professionals—act as a bridge between patients and their care teams. They assist in managing appointments and connecting patients to resources such as parking passes, social workers, and therapists.
For Katie, a program like this would have been transformative. Beyond answering practical questions, a navigator can provide reassurance during moments of doubt and fear. “There’s something powerful about hearing, ‘Yes, I’ve been there, and yes, you can do this,’” she said. Navigator programs also foster a sense of community. By connecting patients with others who have faced similar challenges, they create a support system that extends beyond clinical care. Peer-to-peer mentorship offers an emotional lifeline, empowering patients to approach their recovery with confidence.
The Impact: Healing the Whole Patient
The benefits of Spine Navigator Programs extend far beyond individual patients—they improve healthcare systems. An article published in Cancer highlights how navigator programs enhance care coordination, build trust between patients and providers, and improve adherence to treatment plans, particularly in underserved communities.
For patients like Katie, the benefits go far beyond logistics. “A navigator can make sure no one feels lost or unsupported,” she said. These programs ensure that every patient—regardless of their background or resources—has the tools they need to succeed in their recovery journey.
Katie’s story is a testament to the transformative power of personalized care, but it also serves as a wake-up call. If we are serious about improving healthcare outcomes, we must prioritize programs like Spine Navigator. These programs empower patients to navigate the complexities of recovery, offering both practical and emotional support.
A Future of Hope and Healing
Today, Katie describes herself as a “medical unicorn” for surviving beyond the five-year mark with stage IV metastatic breast cancer—a milestone she once thought she would never reach. “When I was diagnosed, I wasn’t sure I’d see my son start kindergarten. Now he’s in second grade,” she said.
Her gratitude fuels her advocacy for Spine Navigator Programs. “Patients will remember their navigator as part of their recovery story. It’s a legacy of care and compassion.” Katie’s story is a reminder of the beautiful side of medicine, where the goal is to heal, support, and make a difference. By implementing and expanding navigator programs, we can create a healthcare system that not only treats diseases but also uplifts and empowers the people behind the diagnoses.
Let’s honor that mission. Every spine surgery patient deserves the guidance, compassion, and support to transform their pain into possibility. Together, we can build a future of hope, healing, and humanity.
Antoinette Jasmine Charles, MD, MPH
2024-25 NC Schweitzer Fellow
Duke University School of Medicine, Class of 2025