Our Spruce Pine location is temporarily closed. For continued patient care and new patient referrals, our physicians and staff remain fully available at nearby locations to accommodate appointments, support care, and answer questions as needed. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

For new appointments call 833.758.0023

Care Coordination

Care Management

Ongoing care coordination is provided by experienced oncology clinicians and support staff who are available to assist you throughout your treatment with symptom management and nutrition needs.

The goal of care coordination is to help you manage your physical, psychosocial and emotional needs as well as act as your primary contact. The care coordination team performs many functions including providing medication and diagnoses education, symptom monitoring, as well as addressing barriers to care, including financial and transportation assistance. Your care coordinator will assist you with creating and understanding your personalized plan of care and help facilitate communication between your oncologist and other providers.

Patients enrolled in programs such as Principal Care Management (PCM) or Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) program will be assigned a care coordinator. The PCM program is available to Medicare and most Medicare Advantage patients who have one serious, complex chronic condition. EOM is specifically designed for Medicare Fee-For-Service beneficiaries with seven specific types of cancers: breast cancer, chronic leukemia, small intestine/colorectal cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer.

Patients also have access to a wide range of services and resources that help improve their overall health and well-being including support from dietitians to minimize the impact of cancer on daily life.

Meet Your Oncology Dietitians

Nicole Franklin, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN

Nicole is a Board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition (CSO) and an active member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Born and raised in Western North Carolina, she received her undergraduate degree in agricultural business management with a concentration in biology from NC State and later earned her master’s degree in human nutrition from Winthrop University.

Nicole began her career in the hospital setting in 2014 and transitioned to outpatient oncology in 2017. She desires to embrace the WNC community, inspiring patients to use food to manage symptoms and promote a lifestyle of wellness.

Casey Brown

Casey Brown, MS, RD

Casey is a registered dietitian experienced in oncology nutrition. She earned her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her master’s degree from Lenoir Rhyne University. She began working in a hospital setting in 2018 and supported the outpatient cancer center at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. Casey joined AON in 2023.

Casey works closely with patients and healthcare providers to tailor nutrition plans to meet the needs of her patients. She loves helping patients learn the power of nutrition and how it helps them feel their best and reduce complications through cancer treatment and survivorship.