The effective diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer is never a simple process. The best cancer treatment plans go beyond traditional clinical care, and include numerous supportive services and programs.
In addition to delivering state of the art medical care, the Kimmel Cancer Center at Suburban Hospital is dedicated to providing compassionate support for patients and their families at all points along the journey with this challenging disease. Some of the services include navigation, psychosocial support, genetic counseling and testing, nutritional counseling, and survivorship support programs.
Oncology Nurse Navigator Program
A diagnosis of cancer brings many challenges for patients and loved ones. It is common to feel overwhelmed by the amount of new information, the number of decisions to be made concerning treatment and care and the uncertainty about which steps to take next or where to go for assistance.
Suburban Hospital’s nurse navigators can help you and your family obtain the information, knowledge, support and guidance needed to manage a cancer diagnosis and treatment. The nurse navigator role is to provide support to patients and their families.
What Type Of Services are Provided?
Nurse navigators are healthcare professionals who advocate for their patients and help translate complex medical information into a simple language that is more easily understood. In providing quality care, the nurse navigators at Suburban Hospital may perform the following duties
• Educate their patients and their families about their conditions, treatments, side effects, prescriptions, and other aspect of their care.
• Provide healthcare resources, such as consultations, testing or treatment options
• Provide answers to questions and liaise with physicians
• Address administrative healthcare needs for patients, such as housing, childcare, transportation, prescription costs and finances
• Provide referrals to appropriate contacts, such as social workers
• Ensure accessibility to all healthcare documents and information
• Secure, assess and coordinate quality care services throughout their facility
• Support effective appointment scheduling, treatment procedures and diagnostic testing
Who are the Patient Navigators at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Suburban Hospital?
Barbara Doherty
Barbara Doherty, MS, RN, BSN, CCM, PNP, CHC, PAHM is a healthcare professional whose experience spans several decades in many health care arenas: medical-surgical nursing, oncology, health education, healthcare management and professional consulting. She holds active, professional certifications in Case Management and Holistic Health Coaching. Barbara is also a Professional Nurse Paralegal and a Professional in the Academy of Healthcare Management® (insurance). Barbara’s scope of practice encompasses patients of all cancer types and socioeconomic backgrounds and believes all patients deserve access to good, quality medical care. As a patient-centric clinician, she understands that the cancer patient experience is dependent on many factors and that optimal cancer treatment involves caring for the entire patient, taking into account their physical, emotional, psychosocial, financial, and religious concerns. Utilizing her broad range of experience, Barbara devotes her time to educating and helping patients and families find the care, services, and resources they need. You can reach Barbara by phone at 301-896-6782 or by email at [email protected].
Lisa Martin
Lisa has been working with patients with breast cancer since 1997 as a Registered Nurse and Oncology Nurse Navigator. She is also a Certified Breast Care Nurse and passionate about providing the highest quality of care and support to cancer patients. Lisa is available by phone at 240-885-6987 or by email at [email protected].
Oncology Social Work Program
Suburban Hospital’s Cancer Program is committed to providing resources that address not only the physical but also the psychosocial impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. A master-level clinical social worker with expertise in oncology provides counseling to patients who receive treatment at the Suburban outpatient cancer center. She can provide information about cancer support groups and provide information about psychoeducational programs. Individual and family counseling are available to Suburban patients from the time of diagnosis through treatment and during the transition to life after treatment; these counseling services are provided free of charge.For Information or to schedule an appointment, please call Janet B. Connors, MSW, LCSW-C at [email protected] (301) 896-6837
Prostate Cancer Support and Educational Program
The virtual Prostate Cancer Support Group and Educational Program is for patients, survivors and family members. Guest speakers alternate with informal discussions among participants. Registration is required. For information, please call Janet B. Connors, MSW, LCSW-C at [email protected].Cancer Support Classes
Join a Class!
Our programs are free, virtual and open to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers unless otherwise noted.
For a full list of our support programs view our program calendar.
Learn more or get connected to all programs by emailing [email protected].
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Art therapy offers an opportunity to use the creative process to explore feelings and ideas and share experience with others. In a safe environment, a trained art therapist suggests a thematic prompt to initiate the creation of an art object using household materials. A reflective theme might include the concept of strength, resilience or community. No prior art experience or expertise is needed.
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These weekly drop-in restorative classes use mindful movements and breathing techniques to help reduce anxiety, increase bodily awareness and gain strength, balance and mobility. Chair and mat classes are led by instructors with cancer specialized training.
- Mat Class | Mondays from 7:30 – 8:30 pm
- Chair Class | Wednesdays from 10 – 11 am
- Chair or Mat Class | Fridays from 12 – 12:45 pm
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Explore meditation and mindfulness in these drop-in classes offered to help improve your mental and physical health by reducing the stress response, decreasing anxiety, improving sleep, and building a healthier immune system.
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Meditation Practice Session | Sundays from 7:30 – 8 pm
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Meditation Class | Thursdays from 7 – 8 pm
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Explore music as a tool for promoting wellbeing, managing stress, and connecting with one another.
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Reiki is a healing practice that originated in Japan and uses light touch through still placement of hands. Reiki has been shown to ease stress and anxiety, improve sleep and digestion, and provide a sense of well-being and peacefulness. Participants meet individually with our Reiki masters to learn hand placements. Weekly group-facilitated sessions allow the opportunity to practice with others.
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Mondays from 5:30 – 6 pm
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Thursdays from 4:30 – 5 pm
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We offer a variety of discussion-basedsupport groups for patients and caregivers to connect with others, share their experiences, and gain support.
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Bladder Cancer Support Group for Women (1st Thursday of every month, 12 – 1 pm)
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Brian Tumor Support Group (2nd Thursday of every month, 12 – 1 pm)
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Breast Cancer Support Group (1st Wednesday of every month, 12 – 1 pm)
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Talk & Walk Breast Cancer Support Group (3rd Friday of every month, in-person at Montgomery Mall)
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Young Adult Breast Cancer Support Group (3rd Wednesday of every month, 12 – 1 pm)
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Cancer Caregiver Support Group (1st Monday of every month, 12 – 1 pm)
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Gynecologic Cancer Support Group (2nd Tuesday of every month, 2 – 3 pm)
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Lung Cancer Support Group (4th Tuesday of every month, 12 – 1 pm)
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Metastatic Discussion Group (4th Monday of every month, 1 – 2 pm)
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Pancreatic Cancer Support Group (2nd Thursday of every month, 12 – 1pm)
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Six-week series for individuals who have completed treatment. (Those on maintenance therapy are welcome.) Expert talks on nutrition, mind body practices for stress management, sexual health, lymphedema risk reduction, exercise after cancer, management of lingering side effects, and emotional health. Participants also meet individually with a certified health coach to discuss their personal goals and implementation strategies.
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This monthly educational program is designed for those living with a brain or spinal cord tumor. Oncology experts will present on various topics and will allow time to answer participants' questions.
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The Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute’s multidisciplinary team presents topics to enhance your knowledge and provide support. Specialists in bladder cancer will discuss all facets of care and implications for female patients. This program is for women only to create a safe environment for open discussion.
Survivorship and Integrative Health Classes and Programs
Cancer support programs promote healing during and after cancer treatment through mind-body, spiritual, social, and educational practices. The survivorship programs at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Suburban and Sibley Hospital offer opportunities for patients, survivors, and caregivers to focus on wellness goals and improve quality of life while connecting with others impacted by cancer.Engaging in these programs empower participants to improve their wellbeing and their coping during and after a cancer diagnosis. Dedicated and trained experts deliver integrative health and educational programs designed to improve emotional, social, spiritual, and physical health. Thanks to generous donor contributions to the Foundations at Sibley and Suburban Hospitals, our programs are available for cancer patients and family members at no cost.
Benefits of cancer support programs may include:
• Improving social connection and community
• Decreasing anxiety and stress
• Reducing treatment-related side effects
• Strengthening mind-body connection
• Strategies for managing cancer treatment and recovery
• Improved individual and family resilience
For more information, contact Pam Goetz, Survivorship Program Manager at [email protected] or 202-243-2320.
Cancer Support Services
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In the field of cancer genetics, we focus on hereditary causes of cancer. This refers to a mutation or alteration in a gene that one was born with that increases the risk for cancer in that individual. Hereditary cancer accounts for 5-10% of cancers. Individuals with certain risk factors should seek out genetic counseling to determine what testing options are available to them and more importantly, how such test results may impact their own medical management as well as their family members.
Below is a general checklist to see if cancer genetic counseling could help you and your family. Having something on this list does not necessarily mean that you have a hereditary cancer condition.
• Cancer at earlier ages than is usual for that type of cancer
• A personal or family history of a rare cancer
• Multiple relatives on the same side of the family with the same types of cancer
• Individuals with two different types of primary cancer.
The cornerstone of the genetic evaluation is a personal consultation with Reem Saadeh, MD, an experienced board-certified clinical geneticist whose mission is providing education and support.
From the consultation you can expect:
• A clear understanding of the relationship between genes and cancer
• A thorough explanation of the nature, uses and limitations of genetic testing, including the frequency and significance of findings that are uncertain
• An exploration of options, should genetic testing yield a positive or negative results
Dr. Saadeh’s ultimate goal is providing the clear, accurate information and thorough understanding you need to make an informed decision about next steps including the option of genetic testing which she can facilitate in her office.
If you are concerned about a Genetic Risk for Cancer, please contact Dr. Reem Saadeh, Clinical Geneticist at [email protected].
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Adequate nutrition is a concern for many cancer patients. Our oncology dietitian is available to meet with you to provide individualized nutrition education and counseling throughout the cancer care continuum. The oncology dietitian is available for the following:
• Assessing nutrition status and making recommendations to support optimal nutrition throughout treatment
• Managing nutrition related side effects of cancer treatment
• Ensuring diet adequacy and weight maintenance
• Developing tube feeding plans
• Educating on diet and lifestyle modifications for prevention of cancer and recurrence
Any Suburban cancer patient — inpatient or outpatient — may meet with a registered dietitian. Inpatients may request a nutrition consult by asking their nurse, doctor, or another member of the care team. Outpatients may request a nutrition consult from their care team, or may contact the outpatient oncology dietitian, Isabella Nelson, at [email protected].