Other Supportive Care Services
Chaplaincy
Multi-faith chaplains perform an essential service by providing for the religious, spiritual, emotional and existential needs of a widely diverse population of patients, families and staff from all religions and cultures.
Spiritual support is available to all in the following ways:
- Spiritual care
- Emotional support
- Assisting with religious, cultural or ritual needs
- Support when difficult decisions need to be made
- Faith-specific religious guidance
- Prayer support
- Sacramental support
- Support groups
- Worship services
- Meditation, relaxation, and reiki
Learn More Information About Pastoral Care
Fertility Preservation
The Center for Women’s Reproductive Care (CWRC) understands that time is of the essence and that a patient’s health comes first. Therefore, the CWRC has gone the extra mile in creating one of the most sensitive and longstanding oncofertility programs in the nation, led by a team of Reproductive Endocrinologists.
Recent advances in assisted reproductive technologies have given women more options and choices for building families than ever before. Increasingly popular options for women are oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing) and embryo cryopreservation (embryo freezing). The CWRC is pleased to offer the most advanced procedures available from the experienced and exemplary faculty of Columbia University Medical Center. The physicians are happy to discuss a patient’s individual needs and the comparative advantages of these treatment options.
- A discounted rate and free medications for treatment may be available through CWRC’s partnership with Livestrong.
- Free medications are also provided by the Walgreens Heart Beat program for qualified patients.
- The CWRC is proud to offer alternative options for those who may not qualify for the programs above.
Learn More Information About Fertility Preservation
Imerman Angels
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is partnering with Imerman Angels, an organization that was founded in 2003 on the belief that no one should have to face cancer alone and without the necessary support. Through their unique matching process, Imerman Angels matches anyone seeking cancer support with someone just like them – a “Mentor Angel”. A Mentor Angel is a cancer survivor or caregiver who is the same age, same gender, and most importantly who has faced the same type of cancer as some of our patients.
Imerman Angels is a free, peer to peer support system, which helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world.
These one-on-one relationships give a cancer patient or caregiver the chance to ask personal questions and get support from someone who has been there before. Mentor Angels can lend support and empathy and help cancer fighters and caregivers navigate the system, determine their options and create their own support systems.
Learn More Information About Imerman Angels
Nutrition
Nutrition is an important part of cancer treatment as well as health maintenance.
The Nutrition Department offers complimentary outpatient individualized nutrition counseling for patients receiving chemotherapy infusion and/or radiation therapy. All other oncology patients can receive individualized nutrition counseling at one of our NYP Outpatient Nutrition practices either on a fee-for-service basis or covered by their insurance.
Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists counsel and advise our patients on what, when and how much to eat and drink for:
- specific cancers
- side effects of treatment including, but not limited to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, mouth sores, difficulty swallowing
- changes in taste, changes in appetite
- oral supplements, enteral nutrition (tube feeding)
- weight changes
- treatment and recovery
Learn More Information About Nutrition Services
Patient Services Administration
Patient Services Administration offers comprehensive services and compassionate support to patients and their families in order to enhance their experience. Patient Services Administration provides a central location for patients and families to voice their opinions - both positive and negative - about any aspect of Hospital care or services. Patient Services Administration’s staff are available to respond to patient, family, or visitor concerns about patient care, patient’s rights, and services provided by any department, and will immediately work with the care team to resolve any concerns identified.
Our Patient Services Administration personnel can help you and your family with questions and concerns, explain Hospital policy and procedures, and take appropriate steps to see that your rights as a patient are respected. Each Patient Services Administration staff member is trained in managing the issues that can have an impact on the quality of the patient experience. The Patient Services Administration staff is also available to educate patients and families about advance directives and address any ethical concerns that may arise during a patient’s stay.
Physiatry (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
Physiatrists are physicians specializing in rehabilitation who focus on maximizing recovery of function after illness or injury. The practice of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation uses an interdisciplinary team approach that addresses a patient’s physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being through a combination of non-surgical treatments. Treatments include medications, injections, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, the use of assistive devices, and in some cases the use of complementary and alternative medical techniques.
Physiatrists see a variety of patients including those with:
- Gait impairment
- Limb weakness
- Spasticity
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Post-mastectomy stiffness
- Lymphedema
- Pain or stiffness following radiation therapy
- Patients with amputations
- Deconditioning and fatigue
- Damage to the brain (e.g. brain tumor, stroke)
- Damage to the spinal cord
Learn More Information About Rehabilitation Services
Social Work
Oncology Social Workers provide compassionate care and attention to the needs of our patients and their loved ones. As part of the health care team, master's level licensed social workers help patients and families understand and cope with medical, psychological, emotional, and social issues related to their cancer diagnoses.
Social Workers are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and their services include:
- Counseling
- Psychotherapy
- Bereavement Counseling
- Community referrals and concrete services
- Education regarding entitlement programs and financial assistance resources
- Cancer Support groups
Learn More Information About Social Work Services
Tobacco Treatment Services
Many smokers who have been diagnosed with cancer believe their smoking caused their cancer.
Many blame themselves.
Many cancer patients who smoke feel it is too late to quit or that they simply cannot quit.
It is not too late to quit–help with quitting is available.
By quitting smoking tobacco:
- You may respond better to your cancer treatment and recover more quickly from your surgery.
- You may also respond better to your chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Our certified tobacco treatment counselor is especially sensitive to the needs of cancer patients and their families, and can answer your questions and work with your doctor to help you quit.
Our tobacco treatment program offers:
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Prescriptions for medication, nicotine patches, and other quitting products to help you quit
Our program is funded through the Cancer Center Cessation Initiative, part of the NCI Cancer Moonshot℠ program.
Yoga & Meditation Therapy
The Integrated Meditation and Yoga Program (iMAY Thrive) is an evidence-based, therapeutic mind-body program designed specifically for adult cancer patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to help manage the various physical and psychological side effects of the disease and its treatment, enhance quality of life, and improve clinical outcome.
The program aims to integrate scientifically proven protocols from the field of mind-body medicine into the clinical oncology setting, empowering patients across the cancer care continuum with a customized portfolio of safe and effective non-pharmacologic interventions to practice at home to self-manage stress and improve functional ability.
The iMAY Thrive curriculum emphasizes the meditative arts, conscious breathing exercises, restorative relaxation, and gentle physical movement. Instruction is customized to the individual and may be given one-on-one during the chemotherapy infusion, or in a private setting using cushioned yoga mats or chairs.