Social workers are society’s safety net, providing vital resources and support when they are most needed, particularly, the psychosocial needs of oncology patients and their families. Throughout the month of March at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), social workers will be celebrated for their enduring support for cancer patients. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Cancer patients and families face issues that may include: the emotional impact of the diagnosis, coping with treatment and side-effects, adjusting to changes in the body, relationships, work, making health care decisions and adapting to life after treatment. With the assisting and caring efforts of social workers, patients and families can effectively cope throughout the cancer experience.

At CINJ, social workers make a wide range of contributions including support and education groups, individual and family counseling, information and referral, stress management, decision making, advance directives, and cost and availability services.

More than 150,000 social workers will be recognized across the country during this year’s National Professional Social Work Month. This year, there is focus on the future of social work and the need to recruit more in this profession across all disciplines.

CINJ is making social workers available to discuss the many aspects of their practice during this month of recognition.

CINJ experts available for comment include:

Barbara Hale, MSW, LCSW, is the manager of the Social Work Department at CINJ and the leader for the Living with Cancer - Patient and Family Support Group. She can discuss strategies on how family members can help loved ones cope with cancer. Ms. Hale provides support for bone marrow transplant patients and those with hematologic malignancies and can discuss those areas, as well as provide perspective on the topic of cancer related fatigue.

Brenda Bly, MSW, LCSW, CADC, is social worker at CINJ, who is the leader of Strength for Caring, a caregiver support group. Ms. Bly can discuss the comprehensive education component to this program, which teaches families how to cope with the emotional strain, where to seek outside help, and ways to perform everyday care giving with greater ease.

Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW, is a social worker at CINJ who assists patients with breast cancer by providing information about concerns, issues, decision-making and living with the disease. Ms. Leif also provides support for the genitourinary group, and can discuss the approaches taken with those who have cancer of the bladder, prostate, kidneys, and other organs of the urogenital system.

Linda Mathew, MSW, LSW, OSW-C, is a social worker at CINJ, who is the leader of the Breast Cancer Support Group and is the facilitator of CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments in Bravery) program, which contains an arts and crafts component designed to help children whose parents are diagnosed with cancer. Ms. Mathew can discuss the importance of meeting the needs of the entire family when a loved one is diagnosed with the disease.

Julie Murphy, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, is a social worker at CINJ and the leader of the Gynecologic Support Group in which she provides information on fears and concerns about diagnosis and treatment, and talks to family, friends and children about cervical, ovarian and other gynecologic cancers and changing family roles. Ms. Murphy also co-developed a web-based, self-learning program that allows a patient and family to access cancer orientation information online and can discuss the importance of such accessibility.

Rosemarie Slirzewski, MSW, LCSW, is a social worker at CINJ, who provides support for patients with hematologic malignancies and those undergoing bone marrow transplants. She also is the leader of Lesbians with Cancer Support Group, which invites lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered women with cancer and their partners to improve education, promote mutual problem solving and facilitate sharing with others whose lives are also affected by the disease. Ms. Slirzewski can address the unique needs this population may face when battling cancer or supporting a loved one who is.

Susan Stephens, LCSW, ACSW, is a pediatric social worker at CINJ, who can discuss the emotional, social, and spiritual issues surrounding children living with cancer, and what kind of intervention and support is needed for families to maintain normalcy during such a period. She also can address the unique needs of pediatric cancer survivors, child and adolescent bereavement, and school re-entry during and after treatment.

Source: Cancer Institute of New Jersey