During your cancer treatment, chances are you will be working with numerous
medical specialists who have focused their studies on cancer care. In
addition to your primary care physician, you may be referred to oncologists,
pain management specialists, anesthesiologists, nutritionists, surgeons,
and radiologists. St. John’s Health houses all of these specialists
in one location, ensuring that you can receive treatment from every doctor
with experience relevant to your condition. If interested in learning
more about our physicians, nurses, and oncologists, click the links below
to review their qualifications and contact information.
Tumor Board
Twice a month, the tumor board review team, made up of Dr. Cohen and other
specialists, meet to review and discuss the medical conditions and treatment
options of patients. This fosters communication and provides a multidisciplinary
approach to the care of our patients.
Care Coordination
In addition to the best treatments and medical technologies available,
patients who have cancer need and deserve more—such as someone to
provide information about nutrition, counseling, and support groups, or
someone who can connect them with answers to questions regarding tests,
treatment options, and payment plans. At St. John’s, the patient
care coordinator and oncology social worker are here to ensure you get
the best care possible when it comes to preventative screenings, abnormal
or suspicious findings, a new or recurrent cancer diagnosis, survivorship
care, and end-of-life decisions.
They can assist in the following ways:
Serve as a liaison between you and your healthcare team
Provide education on preventative screening recommendations
Streamline appointments and paperwork
Help reduce anxiety and fear over an abnormal finding or new cancer diagnosis
Provide education on surgical consultations and biopsies
Provide education on coping with cancer, what to expect during chemotherapy
and radiation, and how to minimize the side effects of treatment
Assist with state/charity applications for diagnosis and treatment
Identify resources for financial assistance, medication needs, home health
care, transportation and other concerns
Make referrals to cancer support services (exercise, nutrition, etc.)
Empower you or your family member to make informed decisions on your health care
Available to those currently in treatment and those who have completed
treatment, our survivorship program is designed to help prevent recurrence
of cancer and the onset of new cancers, as well as to coordinate follow-up
care. This program is available to all survivors, regardless of where
they were treated.
Cancer Support Services
Most of our cancer support services are provided free of charge to current
patients and their families.
St. John’s offers:
Educational classes on topics such as stress reduction and self-care
Exercise programs, including yoga and pilates for patients and caregivers
Nutritional counseling
Pain management
Acupuncture
Social worker support
Healing Touch therapy, which uses light touch, meditation, and guided imagery
to facilitate relaxation and reduce pain
Physical Therapy with certified specialists in oncology rehabilitation
Monthly cancer support groups for patients and survivors, facilitated by
a registered nurse and our oncology social worker
Nutritional Counseling
St. John’s Registered Dietitians are available to provide diagnosis-specific
nutrition consultations for all new patients and their family members.
With a consult, the Registered Dietitian (RD) can schedule a follow-up
with the patient, assess for further education needs, and help to manage
food and nutrition-related treatment side effects. RD's aid in managing
weight loss or gain, impaired nutrient absorption, supplements, cancer-fighting
foods, and any need for artificial nutrition (tube feeds, TPN). Registered
Dietitians are available for follow-up at any point per request of the
patient, doctor, or nurse.
Kathleen C. Kerrigan, DOOncologyView Profile
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