Cancer Patient Support Program

Recognizing the unique need for a patient and family support program, the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Comprehensive Cancer Center provides different programs to enhance the quality of life for patients and family members while they navigate the complexities of cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.

The Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP) is staffed by our team members and volunteers. We help patients navigate the Cancer Center, provide counseling in the hospital and in the outpatient clinic and manage educational programs and support meetings.

A Resource Center is also available for patients and family members. We are all here to help. The key element in our program is the healing relationship that develops when one person cares for another.

Cancer treatment is a very stressful time and severe illness can bring up many topics and issues for both the patient and their loved ones. We offer individual counseling; support groups and social work support that can help patients explore their feelings, find like-minded support and manage the daily activities that seem so overwhelming during a difficult time.

Individual Counseling

The Psychosocial Oncology and Cancer Patient Support Programs provide individual counseling in the inpatient and outpatient setting. Licensed professionals are available to discuss ways of coping with diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Outpatient appointments are scheduled at the patient's convenience in conjunction with medical appointments when possible. Please call 336-713-6954 to set up an appointment.

Healing Music

Ruth Moskop, a certified clinical musician, and other harpists play in the outpatient clinic on various days of the week. This service is offered to help settle patients and family members waiting for appointments. Therapeutic harp music is also available without charge in the hospital oncology units. Please call 336-713-6954 to request soothing music in a patient’s room. Please check the CPSP monthly calendar for special guitar music by Bill Kossler, and Phillip Craft, piano music by Rose Jackson, Healing Harp music by Ruth Moskop and May Merlau, and Comfort Rhythms by John Beck and Ruth Moskop.

Hospitality Rooms

The Hospitality Rooms, staffed by dedicated volunteers, offer a relaxed setting with snacks and drinks for patients and families awaiting treatments. We have two Hospitality Rooms – one on the 1st floor in the Radiation Oncology department and another one on the 3rd floor in the Hematology and Oncology clinic lobby area.

Resource Center

Navigating through the maze of available cancer and treatment information can be exhausting. Our Resource Center is designed to help make this process easier for patients and their families.

The Resource Center is located on the second floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Brochures, pamphlets and information covering a variety of health and cancer related topics are available at no cost to patients. More detailed information can often be located by using the bookmarked websites on the Resource Center computers. If no volunteer is on duty, you can call 336-713-6954 for additional help.

Volunteers

There are Cancer Patient Support Program Volunteers in the 1st and 3rd floor Hospitality Rooms and in the Resource Center on the 2nd floor. Many of them are veteran cancer patients or caregivers, and they specialize in listening carefully and responding thoughtfully. Our volunteers are here to support you!

If you have questions or interested in volunteering, call Volunteer Services at 336-713-3514.

On-Site Cancer Support Classes

All classes, except the virtual Chair Yoga Class and the new virtual Caregivers Support Group, are CANCELED due to COVID-19.

For dates and times for the classes listed below, check the CPSP monthly calendar at the Information Desks on the 1st and 4th floors of the Comprehensive Cancer Center or call 336-713-6954.

Celebration Drum Circle

Experience new energy as you engage body, mind, and spirit in a Celebration Drum Circle! Interactive Group Drumming is an activity that anyone can enjoy immediately without prior musical training.

Instruments provided.
No prior experience necessary.
Come and go as you wish!

Led by John R. Beck and Ruth M. Moskop PhD, CCM and sponsored by the Cancer Patient Support Program.

Multiple Myeloma Support Group of Winston-Salem

Multiple Myeloma Support Group of Winston-Salem meets every 4th Wednesday of each month in conference room 9A on the 9th floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center from 12 pm - 1:30 pm. Led by Ken & Nancy Bishop. For questions call 336-716-8667 or email wsmyelomagroup@gmail.com.

Support Groups

The Cancer Patient Support Program facilitates and offers support groups at various times throughout the year. For dates and times for those support groups, check the CPSP monthly calendar left at the Information Desks on the 1st and 4th floors of the Comprehensive Cancer Center or call 336-713-6954.

Please also view other support groups in Winston-Salem and the surrounding counties.

View a full listing of the Cancer Support Groups by County.

View list of National Cancer Support Organizations.

Cultivating Well-Being: Virtual Cancer Support Group

Join us Tuesdays for an online hour of connections and compassion.

This free, online support group creates a safe space for cancer patients to connect, share their stories, and exchange tips on how to navigate their cancer journey. This 4-week support group is led by staff from the Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP).

Benefits include:

Increase empowerment and hope
Reduce anxiety, distress, and feelings of loneliness
Learn new coping techniques
Improve communications with your loved ones
Gain valuable information on how to navigate cancer care

For more information and to register, call Lisa Rainwater at 336-716-0327 or email lrainwat@wakehealth.edu. At this time, CPSP virtual groups are offered to persons located in North Carolina.

Connections & Compassion: Virtual Cancer Caregivers Support Group

Join us for an online hour of connections and compassion.

This free, online support group creates a safe space for caregivers to connect, share their stories, and exchange tips on how to take care of one's self while caring for a loved one with cancer. This 4-week support group is led by a staff member of Cancer Patient Support Program (CPSP).

Benefits include:

Increase empowerment and hope
Reduce anxiety, distress, and feelings of loneliness
Learn new coping techniques
Improve communications with your loved ones
Gain valuable information on how to navigate cancer care

For more information and to register, call Lisa Rainwater at 336-716-0327 or email lrainwat@wakehealth.edu. At this time, CPSP virtual groups are offered to persons located in North Carolina.

Tia Chi – Brief Guided Relaxation

Find a haven from the hectic pace of the hospital. Quiet rest has the power to rejuvenate you. In these brief guided sessions, led by David Harold, M.Div., LCSW, you will have the opportunity to relieve stress through breathing, gentile movement, and seated rest. Sponsored by the Cancer Patient Support Program.

A FREE Inpatient Tai Chi class is offered to Wake Forest Baptist cancer patients each Tuesday from 11 am to 12 pm in the 6th floor Recreation Therapy Room in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Please come and go as you are able.
A FREE individual Tai Chi Session by appointment only to any cancer patient is offered each Tuesday usually from 12 pm to 1 pm in the 2nd floor Meditation Room in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Please call 336-713-6954 to make your appointment.

Yoga - Chair Yoga for Every Body

A FREE gentle chair yoga class to survivors, cancer patients, caregivers (family members/friends) and Wake Forest Baptist staff is sponsored by the Cancer Patient Support Program.

The participates move gently, learning to regulate their breathing and paying attention to how that feels, almost instantly cutting through the stress response that many cancer survivors experience. Classes are held in the Meditation Room on the 2nd Floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center every Tuesday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Classes are led by Sue Evans, MBA/MHA, RYT500. If you have any questions, contact Sue at 336-406-7082 or email suevans002@gmail.com.

Sue is offering a virtual chair yoga class in place of our usual Tuesday class due to COVID-19. Send Sue an email if you would like an invitation to join the class.

Other Services

The Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a number of services that work hand-in-hand with the Cancer Patient Support Program to help patients through what can be a very difficult time. Please see the services listed below.

Art Kits

Engaging in art during times of stress, depression, pain, boredom and isolation can help alleviate these symptoms and create positive feelings which aid in healing. Arts for Health provides opportunities for patients to receive an art kit that may include the following: coloring books, journals, colored pencils, origami, watercolors, zentangles, pattern lessons and brain teasers. For more information, call 336-713-8002.

FaithHealth Ministries and Advanced Directive Education

FaithHealth Chaplaincy and Clinical Ministries are available 24 hours a day to provide spiritual aid and other support to patients, their family members and employees at Wake Forest Baptist. Chaplains can be contacted 8 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday, at 336-716-4745. After normal business hours you may call the hospital operator or ask your nurse to page the on-call chaplain.

The Davis Memorial Chapel is located on the first floor of Watlington Hall and is open 24 hours a day for prayer and meditation. Services are offered at the following times for patients, families, and staff:

Worship service: Wednesdays at noon
Prayer service: Mondays and Fridays at noon

Conversations of Love (Advance Directive Education)

In an informal setting, one of our chaplains can lead discussions about how our individual values shape our goals for medical care during times of illness and how advance care planning can assist in insuring that these goals are honored during moments of serious illness. Through proactive conversations with our loved ones, we can provide them with a gift of love through knowing our goals of care.

To set up an appointment, contact FaithHealth Ministries at 336-716-4745.

Financial Assistance and Counseling

Limited financial assistance is available for patients through the American Cancer Society, as well as several independent organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition, and Chronic Disease Fund.

View Oncology Financial Navigators information further down the page.

Financial Counseling

The Financial Counseling Department recognizes the financial burden that medical bills may cause, so if you are having difficulties paying your bill, please let us know. It is part of our mission at Wake Forest Baptist to help the communities we serve. We aim to provide emergent and critical care to those in need, regardless of one’s ability to pay, and we can assist in providing financial assistance for those who have limited financial resources and do not qualify for outside assistance or have insurance or additional funding.

Mary Leak Speas, 336-716-3107, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, 1st floor Radiation Oncology
General Surgery, call India Perry at 336-713-9017, 8 am - 4:30 pm, office is located on the 4th floor behind Mammography

The Financial Counseling Department is located on the Main Floor, Reynolds Tower in the Discharge Office. They can be reached at 336-716-0681.

Please call 336-716-3107 or 336-713-9017 for the Financial Counselors in the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Customer Service

At Wake Forest Baptist, we are committed to providing safe, high quality, affordable health care. This includes prompt, transparent and respectful billing services. If you have questions about your bill please call 336-716-3988 or 1-877-938-7497.

Genetic Counseling

Genetic Counselors review your personal and family history of cancer to assess the risk of inherited cancer susceptibility. They coordinate genetic testing, discuss implications of results for you and your relatives, and review appropriate cancer screening. Please call 336-713-5300 to schedule an appointment or ask to speak with a genetic counselor.

Integrative Medicine

Physicians within Integrative Medicine - Highland Oaks are well-grounded in conventional medical care and have been trained in Integrative Medicine. They offer individualized diet and lifestyle recommendations as well as suggestions regarding the safe use of select complementary therapies for people with cancer and those who love and support them. Recommendations are based in sound medical evidence making for easy collaboration with your oncology team.

Integrative care can aid in the management of treatment side effects such as pain, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and hot flashes, as well as help optimize health and well-being following treatment. Care and Services offered are: integrative medicine consultations, traditional chinese medicine (including acupuncture), nonpharmacologic ADHD therapies, mind/body therapies, pain management, nutrition consultations, healing touch and neurology consultations.

For appointments, call 336-713-6100.

Office of Cancer Health Equity and Navigators

The Office of Cancer Health Equity’s mission is to facilitate clinical care and research focused on improving outcomes for under-served populations in our community. Learn more about the Office of Cancer Health Equity.

Navigators

African-American Patient Navigator: Alexis Daniels, MS 336-716-4575
Hispanic Patient Navigator/Orientadora de Pacientes Hispanos (Se habla Español): Maria Alejandra Combs, JD,OPN-CG 336-716-5571
Rural Patient Navigator: Emily Copus, MSW 336-716-2940

Oncology Financial Navigators

Our financial navigation team works with patients and their families to help them reduce stress or hardship related to the cost of their cancer treatment. Financial navigators help patients understand their out-of-pocket expenses and what their health insurance plans may cover, as well as connecting patients to the appropriate resources as needed.

Hunter Ledford, MS 336-713-2688
Kimberly Osborne, BS 336-713-6657

Oncology Navigators

Oncology navigators assist patients, and their families and caregivers, in understanding cancer, treatment options, and research studies. They also help coordinate patients’ care throughout the Cancer Center. Navigators offer emotional support, and they connect patients and loved ones with services and resources for transportation, financial difficulty, emotional distress, and other barriers to patients’ treatment and well being.

To ensure a timely response to your calls, please call our “Navigator of the Week” number 336-713-3209. This navigator will connect you with the appropriate oncology nurse navigator.

Breast Navigator: Laura Hayes, RN, BSN, OCN
Gastrointestinal (GI) Navigator: Joyce Fenstermaker, RN, BSN, OCN
Gynecology Navigator: Faye Ellen Martin, RN, BSN, CCM
Head & Neck Navigator: Brittany Edathil, BSN, RN
Leukemia & Multiple Myeloma: Jennifer MacLean, RN, BS
Lymphoma/Melanoma Navigator: Sunshine Poerio, MSN, RN
Precision Medicine Navigator: Robin M. Petro, RN, BSN, OCN
Thoracic Navigator: Lisa Flowers, RN, BSN, OCN

Nutrition Services

Our nutritionist, Wendy Watson, RD, CSO, LDN is available to help manage treatment related nutrition side effects such as:

Weight loss due to treatment
Nausea
Sore or dry mouth
Constipation or diarrhea
Taste changes
Difficult/painful swallowing and/or need for feeding tube

Feel free to call for an appointment before symptoms become a problem as dietary changes can help to minimize them. Please call for an appointment or ask your doctor for a referral. Wendy’s office is located on the third floor of the Outpatient Cancer Center.

You can contact Wendy at 336-713-6919 or email wwatson@wakehealth.edu for general questions or to schedule an appointment.

Palliative Care

Palliative Care helps patients gain the strength to carry on with daily life, and improves their ability to tolerate medical treatments. It can also help them better understand their choices for care. Overall, palliative care offers patients the best possible quality of life during their illness. Care also encompasses recognition that comfort and psycho-social/emotional support of the patient and their family are essential.

Patient Advocate

Typhany Morrison-Brown, with Cancer Services, Inc., assists patients and families in addressing the financial and social challenges that people with cancer often encounter. Their office at the Winston-Salem campus is located on the 2nd floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Resource Room. Please call 336-713-6984 or email tymorris@wakehealth.edu for an appointment.

To reach the Cancer Services, Inc team, call 336-760-9983 or toll free 1-800-228-7421.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wake Forest Baptist combines most of the medical center’s rehabilitation services. Pain management and rehabilitation is a nonsurgical, highly collaborative medical specialty that focuses on restoring patient functionality, in adults and children, following injury or illness. To request an appointment, call 336-716-8400.

Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

Physical Therapy rehabilitates gross motor skills and Occupational Therapy improves specific movements and tasks. A physical or occupational therapist can also assist with lymphedema management, which helps reduce enlargement, fullness and achiness following breast cancer surgery. For an outpatient appointment, please call 336-716-8400.

Recreation Therapy including Aquatic Programs and Massage Therapy

Recreation Therapy

Recreation Therapy can offer a variety of services & recreational opportunities to assist with an individual’s daily structure and coping ability during their hospitalization. Treatment services restore, remediate or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence, as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. Recreation services provide opportunities for self-expression, independence, stimulation, control, security and creativity. Together these services provide individuals with other positive outcomes such as adjustment to medical procedures, fitness, relaxation, changes in lifestyle, release from stress and satisfying social interaction.

For questions or make an appointment call 336-716-2011. For inpatient assistance call 336-716-6801.

Aquatic Programs

Aquatic Programs, such as warm water pool classes for adults (arthritis, low impact, moderate and cardio) are offered in the Sticht Center. Ai Chi, a form of aquatic exercise, is also open to everyone at Salemtowne Retirement Community on Mondays and Wednesdays at 1 pm. Pre-registration is required for all classes. To register or to receive more information, contact Debbie Drayton at 336-713-8082 or email ddrayton@wakehealth.edu.

Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy offers many different kinds of massages, including chair massages which are available in the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Their other locations include the Sticht Center, Medical Plaza - Miller, and Integrative Medicine - Highland Oaks. For more details, contact Suzanne Melcher-Thompson at 336-713-3088 or 336-716-8304, you can also email her at sthompso@wakehealth.edu. Massage gift certificates are available in the main hospital gift shop.

Cancer Patient Support Program sponsors FREE chair massages outside the Hospitality Room on the 3rd floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. For dates and times, check the CPSP monthly calendar left at the Information Desks on the 1st and 4th floors of the Comprehensive Cancer Center or call 336-713-6954.

Social Work Services

Sally Benfield is located on the 3rd floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Sally can assist with finding financial resources, coping with illness, caregiver stress, working with the medical team to set up and coordinate home care, ordering medical equipment, as well as general information and referral. For an appointment, call 336-713-5419 or email sbenfiel@wakehealth.edu.

Speech-Language Pathology or Speech Therapy

Speech-Language Pathologists provide comprehensive evaluations and treatment in swallowing, speech, communication, and cognitive-linguistics for cancer patients in the inpatient and outpatient settings. In addition, speech-language pathology provides a laryngeal speech therapy and stoma care education for total laryngectomy patients, and speaking valve evaluations for tracheostomy patients. These pathologists can also help with swallowing preservation for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Inpatient consultations can be ordered by the physician. For an outpatient appointment, please call 336-716-3103.

Supportive Care Outpatient Oncology clinic

Jennifer Gabbard, MD and Carl R. Grey, MD located on the 3rd floor of the Comprehensive Cancer Center can help manage symptoms you may have related to side effects such as: fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, nerve pain, anxiety, depression, etc. The goal of the clinic is to provide a safe haven for patients and to improve overall quality of life and function. The supportive care team is available by request to inpatients. Please call 336-713-5440 if you have questions or would like an appointment.