counseling and resource center for cancer patients - serving the east end free of charge

One of the distinctive features of Fighting Chance is that we employ oncology social workers. That means someone with a Master degree in social work with significant experience working with oncology patients. Specifically, Kerrie Zampini Robinson, our Director of Clinical Programs came to Fighting Chance in 2005 after sixteen years as Director of the Post-treatment Resource Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer center.

Q & A with our Director of Clinical Programs

Q. What does an oncology social worker need to know about the medical part of treating cancer?
A. A cancer diagnosis challenges patients physically, emotionally and socially. The oncology social worker is trained to understand the basic biology of cancers and how diagnosis, treatments and the aftermath impacts the patient, and family as well.

Q. What do you provide - as the social worker - that the doctor treating cancer does not?
A.The oncology social worker becomes part of the healthcare team treating the patient as he/she confronts multiple medical and psycho-social challenges. Our professional counselors actively assist patients to understand the particulars of their disease and the varying stressors they confront at diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

Q. What, exactly, do you mean by treating the "whole" patient?
A. Our job as clinicians is to assess the person in their current medical situation, exploring their previous coping strategies, current support system, insurance, financial resources and their ability to problem-solve. The social worker assists the patient to build a sense of control and well-being and hope while helping to maximize coping skills.