By Liz Segrist
lsegrist@scbiznews.com
Published June 26, 2012
The Greenville Hospital System’s newest partnership focuses on the social and emotional support needed in comprehensive cancer care.
“Research shows that social and emotional support is as important as medical care in the face of a cancer diagnosis,” said Dr. Larry Gluck, medical director of Greenville Hospital System’s Cancer Center.
Greenville Hospital System, or GHS, announced Tuesday the formation of the Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship, a new partnership between GHS and the Cancer Support Community, or CSC, a worldwide provider of social and emotional support for cancer patients and their caregivers.
The new center will be located on the first floor of GHS’ Cancer Center at 900 W. Faris Road in Greenville. The Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship will focus on survivorship and integrating evidence-based complementary therapies, such as yoga, nutrition and music therapy, with traditional cancer care.
The survivorship component of the new center is led by a team of physicians and other health care professionals that will develop a personalized survivorship plan.
GHS will integrate CSC’s programs and services into the hospital setting. GHS will also implement CSC’s CancerSupportSource, a Web-based program that involves a 10-minute online screening to provide information about a patient’s level of distress and the available support through programs and services.
Other CSC programs and services include a personalized assessment and care plan; in-person and online support groups; health and wellness programs; and educational programs.
All of these programs will be available for free through the Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship. The costs for these services typically range between $60,000 and $100,000. GHS is able to provide them for free due to the financial support of the Palmetto Peloton Project, known as P3.
P3 is a local nonprofit that promotes advancement and advocacy of cancer research through fundraising bicycle rides. Around $150,000 to $200,000 of P3 funds will be used to renovate the ground floor of the GHS Cancer Center to become “an oasis for patients.”
It will include a nutrition bar, reflection room, space for support groups to meet and a staff of volunteers who have survived cancer or are connected to it. The renovation is expected to start this summer and be finished by late fall.
“Cancer Support Community is a leader in psychosocial oncology, and we are pleased to integrate their evidence-based programs and services into our cancer care delivery model to ensure our patients get the best medical and psychosocial care available,” Gluck said.
Read the full story in the July 16 issue of GSA Business. Subscribe here.
