Coborn Cancer Center offers a new dimension of care that is designed to provide you with access to information and services that can enhance your quality of life before, during and after cancer treatment.
Your life is changed by cancer, and what defines you will also change. As you move through therapy or transition back to work and home, we will help you find the spiritual, psychological, social and physical resource connections you need. We are committed to offering you access to those resources that can effectively enhance your life throughout the cancer experience.
Care Coordinators
One aspect of our holistic approach to care is our disease-specific registered nurse care coordinators. Care coordinators assist patients with breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancers, and their families, through their cancer journey by providing assistance with appointments, procedures and treatment options.
As the link between the patient, their doctors and the rest of the care team, they ensure that patients have the education, support and resources needed to make informed choices.
Meet the Care Coordinators
Todd Allen, BSN, RN, CHPN
Lung and Brain/Central Nervous System Cancer Care Coordinator
Angie Haan, RN, MSN
Breast Cancer Care Coordinator
Tara Hinnenkamp, RN, BSN
Breast Cancer Care Coordinator
Erin Merdan, RN, BSN
Gastrointestinal, Head and Neck Cancer Care Coordinator
Deb Perkins, RN, BSN
Gastrointestinal, Head and Neck Cancer Care Coordinator
Nutrition Counseling
Coborn Cancer Center offers one-on-one nutrition consultations with a registered dietitian to patients and their families. Our registered dietitian can assist patients with:
- Nutrition education and counseling
- Therapeutic diets
- Nutrition support such as enteral nutrition (tube feeding) or parenteral nutrition (IV nutrition therapy)
- Management of treatment-related side effects such as:
- poor appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
Oncology Social Workers
Our oncology social worker can help you with:
- Resources to help you understand your diagnosis and treatments
- Social Security, disability benefits and insurance coverage
- Financial assistance programs
- Health care directives
- Advocating for your own needs
Our oncology social worker can help you access:
- Temporary housing during treatment
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Resources for concerns arising during treatment
- Counseling services for you and your family
- Support groups and online support services
- Necessary assistive equipment such as a cane or walker
- Affordable medical and prescription drug coverage if you are under-insured
- Application forms for financial aid
- Home care and hospice services
- Referrals for assistance at home
The social worker’s services are here at no additional cost to you or your family. Contact your nurse or provider and ask them to connect you with the social worker.
Palliative Care
Palliative Care focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is appropriate at any age and at any state in a serious illness. The cost of the services is covered by most health plans.
The Palliative Care team will meet with you and your family to understand your needs. We will make a plan that respects your values and personal choices. Your primary care doctor and oncology team will remain in charge of your care.
Learn more about Palliative Care
Spiritual Care
A chaplain is available upon patient request for an in-person visit or by phone call. The chaplain also participates in Palliative Care consultations by request.
Call Spiritual Care 320-251-2700, ext. 54621 or ask your nurse to make a referral.
Survivorship Clinic
If you have completed cancer treatment, take this opportunity to schedule a cancer survivorship visit. Your Cancer Survivorship Visit will provide you with vital information to help you successfully transition from active treatment to survivorship. Cancer survivors often face physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges as a result of their diagnosis and treatment.
Cancer Survivorship Visits include discussion about:
- Your survivorship plan of care
- Follow up care information based on your cancer stage, pathology and treatments received
- Managing possible physical, emotional, sexual and social effects
- Referrals for possible services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral health care, or palliative care
- Education on concerning signs and symptoms and when to speak up
- Strategies to stay healthy
- Support services available
We strive to enhance health and quality of life before, during and after cancer treatment.
Survivorship plan of care
An individualized survivorship care plan is presented to you during your survivorship visit. If you want more information, you can use your plan at these sites:
The LIVESTRONG Care Plan is a survivorship care plan individualized based on answers provided in a brief questionnaire. The plan is meant for you to review and discuss with your health care team, both oncology and primary care.
JOURNEY FORWARD is a program for survivors and their providers to work as a team after active treatment comes to an end. This plan offers many ways to guide survivors through their next steps and offers tools and resources to assist you on the journey forward.
If you have any questions, please ask our nurses at 320-229-4989.
