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Support Services
Winthrop’s Institute for Cancer Care provides a wide range of support services for patients and families to help them cope with the diagnoses, treatments and effects of battling cancer.
- American Cancer Society (ACS) Volunteers – The ACS works collaboratively with Winthrop’s Institute for Cancer Care, providing volunteer patient navigations services. Winthrop and ACS volunteers also join forces to present “Look Good Feel Better.”
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Adult Cancer Support Groups – These groups give adults diagnosed with cancer or caregivers dealing with the impact of cancer, the opportunity to share feelings, concerns and experiences in a safe, supportive environment. Sessions are facilitated by an oncology social worker.
- Breast Cancer – The Breast Health Center offers support for breast patients, including a forum for newly diagnosed, in treatment and post-treatment patients where they can talk, brainstorm, discuss concerns and ask questions in a supportive environment. Information about concrete services (financial, legal, wig, prostheses, etc.) is also available. Meets on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, 1:30-3:00 PM. No Charge. Advance registration required.
For information: Alisha Ellis, Breast Cancer Social Worker, (516) 663-2556.
- Persons Diagnosed with Cancer Support Group – This support group provides adults cancer patients with the opportunity to share feelings, concerns, experiences and celebrations in a safe supportive environment. Sessions are facilitated by an oncology social worker.
Schedule: Tuesdays (bi-weekly) 11 a.m. to 12: 15 p.m.
Fee: Free
Registration required.
For information Call Trish Schussler, ACSW, LMSW at 516-663-9062.
- Family Members/Caregivers of Persons Diagnosed with Cancer Support Group- This support group provides family members/cancer caregivers with a place to share experiences and concerns, as well as an opportunity to learn new ways of coping when a loved one has a diagnosis of cancer. Sessions are facilitated by an oncology social worker.
Schedule: Mondays (bi-weekly) 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Fee: Free
Registration required.
For information Call Trish Schussler, ACSW, LMSW at 516-663-9062.
- Institute for Cancer Care Bereavement Group – This support group is for adults who have lost a loved one to cancer. Sessions are facilitated by an oncology social worker.
Registration required.
For information call Mary Rzeszut, LMSW at 516-663-3867.
- Community Education/Outreach – Winthrop sponsors many community education/outreach programs covering the prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as issues concerning cancer survivors. Topics have covered:
- CyberKnife® Radiosurgery
- Cancer Survivors
- Gynecologic Cancers
- Breast Cancer
A four-week Smoking Cessation Program utilizes different combinations of techniques, including nicotine replacement therapy, oral medications, behavior modification and hypnosis to help individuals stop smoking.
- Financial Counseling - A diagnosis of cancer can bring unplanned financial burdens and distress to patients and their families. Winthrop’s Financial Counselor can provide assessment of cancer patients’ financial needs stemming from treatments. Assistance is obtained via grants, charitable organizations or qualifying for the Hospital’s charity care program.
To make an appointment, call (516) 576-5646.
- Look Good, Feel Better - Women with cancer learn special hair styling, grooming and make-up techniques from professionals who help them look and feel their best before, during and after treatment. Presented in cooperation with the American Cancer Society every other month, Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 PM. No Charge. Reservations required.
For information, call Diana Pasqua, RN, (516) 663-8843.
- Pain Management – Pain management at Winthrop Pain Management strives to relieve every patient’s suffering from chronic pain by creating an effective environment for healing the whole person -- physically and emotionally. With skill, compassion and the highest standards of quality, specialists target the source of pain whenever possible using interventional techniques, designing a medication treatment plan that focuses on improvements in functionality and quality of life.
- Palliative Care – Winthrop’s palliative care services offer a comprehensive approach to care that enhances quality of life for hospitalized patients with serious illnesses and their families. A palliative care consultation includes:
- Medical management to reduce pain and other symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath
- Psychological and spiritual support
- Assistance with developing plans of care to optimize quality of life
- Assistance with advanced care planning to ensure that patients’ preferences guide treatment, even if they can no long make decisions for themselves.
- Assistance with deciding on life-sustaining and life-extending measures, evaluating benefits and burdens of different treatment options, planning for crises, and preparing for end of life.
The Palliative Care Consultation Service is staffed by a team of specially trained physicians and nurses who may call on other disciplines, such as social workers, chaplains, dietitians, and pharmacists, depending on each patient’s needs.
For more information, call (516) 663-2588
- Pastoral Care - Pastoral Care and Education at Winthrop involves a multi-faith team of professional, volunteer, ordained and lay people, who come together to serve the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, families and the Hospital staff. The Pastoral Care Department provides for spiritual needs with: someone to listen; emotional support for patients, family members and Hospital staff; and help with Health Care proxy or end-of-life decisions. Religious needs are met with: communion and/or other sacraments; prayer; a visit from a priest, minister, rabbi or imam; and inspirational and religious literature.
- Pathology - The Department of Pathology provides comprehensive clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology diagnostic services.
- The Division of Anatomic Pathology renders diagnoses on surgical pathology specimens. The Board Certified pathologists have sub-speciality interests in breast, lung, gynecologic, urologic, hematologic and colorectal malignancies. Two Board Certified cytopathologists provide onsite evaluation of fine needle aspirates and endoscopic gastrointestinal and bronchoscopic specimens.
- The Immunohistochemistry and Cytogenetics Laboratories provide ancillary diagnostic testing, including estrogen and progesterone receptor testing and Her2/Neu testing. Microsatellite instability testing for colorectal cancers is also performed.
- The Clinical Laboratory provides microbiology, special chemistry and blood banking services that support oncology patients and provide diagnostic testing. The Immunology Laboratory contains a flow cytometer extensively used in the diagnosis of leukemias and lymphomas. Immunofixation studies are used to diagnose multiple myeloma.
- Pediatric Cancer Groups
- Generation of Survivors (Gen S) - Pat Lyons Long-Term Follow-Up Program. The first Survivorship Health Program of its type on Long Island. The Generation of Survivors Clinic, held on a bi-monthly basis, provides comprehensive medical evaluations, health education and vital support services to pediatric cancer survivors. The Center's staff provides professional, compassionate care based on guidelines and standards established by The International Cancer Institute's Children's Oncology Group and other recognized authorities. Follow-up physical and psychosocial care, designed to meet the needs of patients and families who have been through the childhood cancer experience, is delivered in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere, with hours separate from those of a busy outpatient center.
In recognition of the special needs of survivors and their families, the Program's team offers a complete evaluation of the survivor, identifies and addresses potential late effects from diagnosis or treatment, provides up-to-date information and support for survivors and their families, assists survivors in accessing the many resources available to them, including referrals for assistance with education, employment and other concerns, provides guidance and education for living a healthy lifestyle, serves as consultants to the medical community and participates in childhood cancer research studies.
All patients are seen by a Board Certified pediatric hematologist/ oncologist, a certified pediatric oncology nurse practitioner, a psychologist and other specialists experienced in working with pediatric cancer survivors. Patients are referred to adult practitioners in specialized areas such as endocrinology, cardiology, and rheumatology on an as-needed basis.
All childhood cancer survivors diagnosed between infancy and 18 years of age, who are two years or more off treatment, are eligible to participate.
For information, call (516) 663-9400.
- Back in the Game - This unique physical education training program helps young cancer patients and survivors regain fitness, strength, conditioning and confidence by introducing physical activity in a fun, safe environment. Developed by the Professional Athletic Performance Center, and staffed by licensed physical therapists, the 12-week program serves cancer patients and survivors, ages 5-21, regardless of where they are being treated. Sessions are held at the Garden City Performance Center.
For information, call (516) 663-9400.
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation – Working with the Lung Cancer program, Winthrop pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, RNs and physical therapists help lung-compromised individuals improve their quality of life through education and group support.
For information: (516) 663-2579
- Rehabilitation Services - Rehabilitation Services provide physical, occupational and speech language therapy for patients who require skilled interventions; an audiologist is also available to provide hearing assessments. Therapists create individualized rehabilitation programs to maximize each patient’s ability to function. They may receive therapy from one or all of the disciplines based on their unique needs. Inpatient services are provided at bedside based on an assessment by the individual therapist. Therapists work closely with patients, nurses, doctors and case managers to develop the most appropriate and safe discharge plan. Recommendations for post-hospital care are based on progress and include home care or ongoing skilled care at an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
- Smoking Cessation Program – This four-week program utilizes different combinations of techniques, including nicotine replacement therapy, oral medications, behavior modification and nypnosis to help individuals quit using tobacco.
For information: 1-866-WINTHROP
- Social Work - Oncology Social Work provides psychosocial care to patients and families through all phases of the cancer journey. Social workers offer counseling, support groups, education and referrals to the community. Services include:
- Helping patients access information to understand their diagnoses and treatment
- Teaching patients and families coping skills to deal with the many emotions that arise with a cancer diagnosis
- Teaching patients and families how to communicate with their healthcare team
- How to live life as a cancer survivor
- Stress reduction techniques
- How to apply for programs that offer financial assistance/ prescription coverage
- Understanding social security benefits, disability benefits, insurance issues, workplace issues
- Dealing with transportation issues
- Handling end-of-life and hospice issues
For information: Trish Schussler (516) 663-9062
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