Your Cancer Support Team at the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa strives to meet the emotional, spiritual and physical needs of cancer patients during the cancer diagnosis, through cancer treatment and beyond to cancer survivorship.The team also helps to reduces stress, improve well-being, and support the healing process through the coordination of cancer treatment, survivorship and wellness.

Care Coordinators: The role of the Care Coordinator is to support you and your loved ones during the cancer diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. Emi, Andrea, Mona or Wendy will work with you as your care coordinator and will assess the needs of you and your support team for referrals within multidisciplinary

team including social workers, dieticians, psychiatry, pastoral care, cancer exercise specialist and more. Most importantly, your Care Coordinator is here to listen, offering emotional support to you and your support team. You are not on this journey alone. Contact a care coordinator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oncology Certified Social Worker: Provides support for you and your support team. This includes coping with a cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship; caregiver stress; helping children/teens better understand cancer; community resources and financial issues. Contact Nancy.

 

 

 

Exercise Specialist: Assists you with maintaining or regaining strength, stability and overall physical wellness. Individualized plans are developed according to your current health needs and your current treatment plan. Sessions can be one-on-one or small group settings. Contact Matt.

 

 

Cancer Risk Assessment Counselor: An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in cancer and genetics provides you with cancer risk assessment screening, genetic counseling and testing, and will help you and your support team understand the medical and psychological issues of having an inherited cancer. You will also be educated on how genetic cancers affect the rest of your family. Contact Julie.

 

 

Dietician: Available to first assess your nutritional status and to design a nutrition plan to meet your needs. She offers counseling and support to help reduce side effects, and provide information on developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Contact Beth.

 

 

Chaplain: Available to offer emotional and spiritual support to you and your cancer support team throughout your cancer journey. Assesses faith related questions and exploring grief and loss concerns. Can assist with obtaining a Power of Attorney for Health Care and Advanced Directives/Living Wills.

Certified Sex Therapist: A certified counselor is available to meet with you regarding body image or sexuality concerns. She will help you address feelings about your body and changes that may have occurred, improving communication with your partner, and to explore your need for lifelong emotional connections to others.

Financial Counselor: A qualified Financial Counselor is available to guide you and your family with any financial concerns that may accompany your diagnosis. Financial counseling can lead to peace of mind about medical expenses and leave you free to concentrate on recovering.

Psychologist: Our psychologists are available to assist you and your support team to work through the challenges that can come from a cancer diagnosis. These challenges can have a significant effect on everyone involved, and our services are open to you and your support team. A referral can be made by your Cancer Care Coordinator or your Oncology Certified Social Worker.