Faces of Bryan

On a chilly December morning, a cancer patient in rural southeast Nebraska avoided hours of travel, added expenses and unnecessary stress – all thanks to a single phone call.

The call came from oncology nurse navigator Lacey Stevens, who coordinated with the patient’s doctors in Lincoln to arrange testing locally at Crete Medical Clinic.

“I called the office in Lincoln and said, ‘We can do that here,’” Lacey said. “The patient would rather have it done here, instead of driving there, having it done, coming home, and then going back again for another appointment later. They said, ‘Oh great!’ And they sent me the orders.”

Filling a Gap for Rural Patients

Moments like this are a routine part of Lacey’s role at Crete, Friend and Wilber Medical Clinics, but she knows how important they are to her patients. Keeping care close to home can mean everything for patients already carrying the physical, emotional and financial weight of a cancer diagnosis.

“I feel really strongly that our patients should be getting care here,” Lacey said. “It relieves some of that stress and financial burden. Driving to Lincoln gets expensive. When you don’t feel good, having to get up, get ready, drive and probably buy a meal – it all adds up. Fatigue is such a huge side effect for our patients, and this really helps.”

That philosophy is exactly why Lacey’s position exists. After seeing the challenges faced by a loved one undergoing cancer treatment, a family member of a Crete Area Medical Center (CAMC) patient made a generous donation to create a role dedicated to keeping cancer care as local as possible.

The position was also designed to bridge a critical gap – connecting patients’ oncology teams with their primary care providers, so patients are supported not just during treatment, but long after it ends.

That’s what makes Lacey’s role unique. She helps patients understand treatment plans, access financial assistance and coordinate appointments. At the same time, she ensures they stay up to date on primary care visits and recommended screenings throughout survivorship.

“She’s kind of the hub,” her leader Steph Hollman, clinical operations director, said. “She makes sure all the pieces stay connected.”

An Unexpected Path

Although Lacey thrives in the role today, it wasn’t where she originally pictured herself. When she started nursing school at Bryan College of Health Sciences, her dream was to work in the NICU.

“But God had other plans,” she said.

After working in several nursing departments at hospitals in Omaha, Kearney and Lincoln, Lacey eventually found her way back to Bryan Health at CAMC – a return that felt surprisingly right.

“I didn’t see it coming,” she said, “but I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m really happy to be back at Bryan.”

The role fits her life as well as her passion. The flexible, part-time schedule allows Lacey to homeschool her four sons while continuing to pour her energy into caring for others.

“I never thought I’d find a nursing job like this,” she said. “I’m happy, and I still feel like I’m truly contributing to my patients’ lives. The care here at CAMC is fantastic. I’m constantly impressed by how attentive the doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are. They really listen and pay attention to what our patients need.”

Dedicated to Patient Care

Lacey is a key part of the quality care Bryan Health strives to provide. Even on a part-time schedule, she manages hundreds of reminders, appointments and follow-ups with compassion and intention. She advocates for patients and guides them through the overwhelming world of cancer care.

“She is absolutely, wholeheartedly in it for the patients,” Steph said. “She truly lives out the vision of keeping care local whenever possible.”

For Lacey, that mission is deeply personal. She understands how overwhelming a cancer diagnosis can be, especially in the early days, and she does everything she can to lighten the load.

“In the beginning, I tend to be very hands-on,” she said. “I can tell when patients are struggling. I’ll reach out, make those initial appointments and get everything set up. I tell them, ‘Here’s where you need to be. Here’s what you need to do. There’s nothing else for you to worry about – it’s taken care of.’”

For her patients, that reassurance – and that phone call – can make all the difference.