Patient Support

Oncology Social Work

Any person whose life has been impacted by cancer — either their own or a loved one’s — can tell you how significant and far-reaching the stressors associated with it are. For many, there is financial stress related both to the cost of medical care and also the loss of income when work is interrupted by treatment. Social stressors include the impact the diagnosis and treatment have on relationships with family and friends.Physical stressors are many and evident: coping with overwhelming fatigue; the side effects of treatment; and the symptoms of the disease itself. Finally, the emotional stress of living with a potentially life-threatening illness is often overwhelming and exhausting within itself.

Helping the patient and family to cope with the stress related to a cancer diagnosis is a function of the oncology social worker. Oncology social workers are Master’s level, licensed clinical social workers who specialize in working with people with cancer. At CMMC, oncology social work services are available to patients receiving care in both the inpatient and outpatient departments, and are available to patients and families throughout all phases of the cancer experience, including prevention, diagnosis, and survivorship. When cure is not possible, oncology social workers are also involved in terminal care and bereavement.

Services provided by the oncology social worker include:

• Psychosocial Needs Assessments: to assist the person with cancer and his/her family members to identify what their potential emotional, spiritual, and practical needs might be in relation to their diagnosis & to plan interventions accordingly.

• Counseling for patients/family members to promote optimal emotional health and coping. Counseling can address issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, effects on family and relationships, among other topics.

• Support & education to parents of minor children/grandchildren re. how to support children when a parent/grandparent has cancer, connecting with community resources for children, etc.

• Information about and referral to community resources for assistance with financial concerns, transportation issues, lodging during treatment, community support groups, etc.

• Information about and referral to cancer-related information and service organizations.

Medical Oncology Social Worker: Dorn W. McMahon, LMSW-cc, 207-795-2692 or toll free 1-888-795-2440

Radiation Oncology Department's Social Worker: Trisha Warren-Van Horn, LCSW, 795-2692 or toll-free: 1-888-795-2440.

Inpatient Oncology Social Worker: Rachel Merrill, LMSW, 795-2680.