Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - Fall 2017 - 8

"Whether treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy

TOP 12 REASONS
TO CHOOSE UM SJMC
CANCER INSTITUTE

or radiation therapy, the Cancer Institute focuses on personalized medicine and faith-based care to treat the whole patient,"
says Business Operations Director Monica Fulton. "Our goal is
to provide the best treatment for every cancer."
Nurse manager Kelly Powers, RN, of the Cancer Institute's
Serpick Infusion Center, says the center provides powerful
medication to treat a large variety of cancers. "We believe

Access to a broad range of clinical trials,
national experts and the latest treatments
from the University of Maryland Greenebaum
Comprehensive Cancer Center

2.
3.

employee comes in every day with the patient and family
at the center of their minds and their hearts."
"There's a scientific part of what we do, but there's
also a very humanistic part," says Yousuf Gaffar, MD,

Patient-centered, faith-based and

a hematologist and medical oncologist who specializes in

compassionate care

blood cancers. "I get to know the patients, their families and

Multidisciplinary approach to identify and treat
a spectrum of cancers

what sets us apart is our people," says Powers. "Each

their concerns. My hope for my patients is to have them
know they have a full team of caring, compassionate people
on their side. My philosophy is to educate them to the

Peer-reviewed individualized care and treatment

best of my abilities about what they will be going through,

plans reflect National Comprehensive Cancer

whether it's advanced target therapies, chemotherapy or

Network guidelines

palliative care."

High-touch, skilled oncology nursing care

"All-in-one" centralized care model in
a community setting

SURVIVOR SERVICES OFFER HOPE,
COMFORT AND RELIEF
A wide array of survivorship and patient support services

Coordinated care and nurse navigation services

are available at the Cancer Institute to assist patients in

Numerous national awards, including national

include nutritional, genetic, palliative care, social work and

Outstanding Achievement Award, American
College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer
and National Accreditation Program for Breast
Centers

Oncology physicians continuously rated
among Baltimore's "Top Docs"
by Baltimore magazine

10.
11.
12.

Personalized medicine
Beautiful, serene, patient-focused

their journey back to greater health. A few of these services
spiritual counseling, as well as healing touch therapies and
nurse navigation. Here's how a few of our specialists explain
their role in supporting their patients:
Nurse navigator Susan Feild says of her role: "I am the
hand holder, question answerer, help-them-get-through-thejourney person. I'm going to hold your hand just like you
are a member of my family because that's the way we do
it at the Cancer Institute."
Says Paige Williamson, outpatient oncology dietitian,
"I'm available during all phases of treatment-before, during

multiservice treatment environment

and after. Patients sometimes experience weight gain or loss,

Minimally invasive surgical options,

advice to help treat the whole person."

including robotics

taste changes or stomach upset. I personally tailor nutrition
Certified genetic counselor Nisha Isaac, MS, says, "I work
with individuals and families to try to figure out if they have

LEARN MORE
To watch a video about the UM SJMC Cancer
Institute, visit stjosephtowson.com/healthy.

a higher risk of cancer based on their personal and family
history of cancer so that we can either detect cancer at
an early stage or prevent it in some cases. People who test
positive for a higher risk need increased schedules of screenings and possibly preventive medication."

MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS

http://www.stjosephtowson.com/healthy

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland’s Health Matters - St. Joseph - Fall 2017