{"id":3147,"date":"2018-04-06T15:17:55","date_gmt":"2018-04-06T20:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=3147"},"modified":"2018-04-26T10:03:12","modified_gmt":"2018-04-26T15:03:12","slug":"new-location-better-serves-cancer-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/new-location-better-serves-cancer-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"New location better serves cancer patients"},"content":{"rendered":"

OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center<\/a> Cancer Support Services<\/a> helps cancer patients and their families effectively manage the physical and emotional side effects of cancer treatment and recovery.<\/p>\n

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Those support services are now located in one convenient location in downtown Peoria in the Illinois Medical Center, 1001 Main St., Ste. 107<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In existence for several years, OSF Cancer Support Services had been fragmented, providing services at different locations in and around OSF Saint Francis, said Tenille Oderwald, supervisor of nursing, patient care.<\/p>\n

The new location, which opened in mid-March 2018, enables patients to come to one location to receive the support they need.<\/p>\n

Sabra Burress, MA, LCPC, a counselor with OSF Cancer Support Services, said the move has been a good one for patients.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe patients have expressed positive feedback about the move,\u201d she said. \u201cThe building access and parking is close, so patients don\u2019t have to walk long distances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having services, such as access to clinical and financial navigators, dietitians, classes, support groups, education and more, in one location means a better patient experience, said Tom Cox, director of radiology, radiation therapy and cancer services.<\/p>\n

Burress agrees, further explaining the move also has helped improve communication among members of the Cancer Support Services team.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeam members are better able to communicate immediately and handoff patients to one another,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s also nice to be in a building with the physicians that many of our patients see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Care tailored to a patient\u2019s needs<\/h2>\n

OSF Cancer Support Services helps patients and families navigate through the cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery process. The belief is the more the patient understands and participates in their care, the more they become part of their own health care team.<\/p>\n