Psychosocial Oncology – Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
Oncology-certified clinical social workers who help navigate the many expected -- and unexpected -- needs that arise due to cancer and its treatment. Our social workers are available free of charge to assist our patients and their families with a range of services that can reduce stress during any phase of their cancer care.
- Joanne Assarsson, LICSW, OSW-C
- 202-444-3755
- Leonard Ellentuck, LICSW, OSW-C
- 202-444-6288
- Cheryl Hughes, LICSW, OSW-C
- 202-444-3020
Psychosocial Oncology – Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center
Psychosocial Support
Provides counseling and psychosocial support to patients of the Ourisman Breast Center to help manage patient’s psychosocial concerns, and provide resources in the community. Our social workers are available free of charge to assist our patients and their families with a range of services that can reduce stress during any phase of their care.
Contact: Colleen McClain, LICSW at 202-444-8091.
Psycho-Oncology Services
Kimberly Davis, Ph.D.
Dr. Davis is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. She provides individual therapy to patients, survivors and family members of patients who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Davis has provided direct clinical care at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center for more than a decade, and works very closely with the providers, staff and other members of the psychosocial oncology team to address the needs of both patients and staff.
Contact Dr. Kimberly Davis at 202-687-6925.
Patient Services
Look Good, Feel Better
These group workshops teach beauty techniques to female cancer patients to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Cosmetology professional provide learning sessions using products donated by the cosmetic industry. In addition, each two-hour, hands-on workshop includes professional advice from a hair stylist on how to deal with hair loss using wigs, scarves, hats, hairpieces, and other accessories. Patients at various stages of treatment receive personal attention and take home instruction booklets and complimentary cosmetic kits in shades that match their skin tones.
4th Monday of every Month (except August and December) between 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Registration Required.
Contact: Joanne Assarsson, LICSW – 202-444-3755
Survivors Offering Support (S.O.S.)
A program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital called Survivors Offering Support pairs women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer with trained volunteers who can offer emotional support and insight like no one else can, because they've tackled the disease themselves. This important "buddy support system" can help make the breast cancer journey less confusing and solitary. Whether you are facing breast cancer and could benefit from the help of a mentor or you are a breast cancer survivor and can offer help to another, SOS is for you.
Contact: Denise O’Neill at 202-444-5285 or [email protected]
Partner Support Workshop
This new workshop is designed for spouses and significant others of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, to provide insight into caregiving and the types of support patients and their families require during a highly emotional and difficult time.
The free two-hour workshop is available to families of breast cancer patients at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. The sessions share support methods and ideas from books like The Breast Cancer Husband, written by Marc Silver, and Caregiving, a book from the American Cancer Society, as well as real-life survivor family lessons.
Contact: Denise O’Neill at 202-444-5285 or [email protected]
Transition to Wellness - A toolkit to jumpstart your life as a breast cancer survivor
You have successfully completed the important treatment phase of your journey and are embarking on a transition to newfound wellness. Many breast cancer patients encounter difficulties when the contact with their medical team is reduced at the same time as the fears of cancer returning begin to increase. To assist you in embracing your transition to wellness, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital encourages you to attend this free workshop that includes:
- Roundtable discussion by breast cancer survivors on the challenges they faced in transitioning to wellness and how to overcome those challenges.
- Checklist of key health areas and lifestyle changes, as well as a survivorship care plan, that can assist you as you embrace life as a survivor, improving general health and well-being.
- Wellness practitioners demonstrating new ways for incorporating lifestyle changes into your life following cancer treatment. Practitioners include nutritionists, massage therapists, journalists, exercise instructors and more.
Contact: Denise O’Neill at 202-444-5285 or [email protected]
Support Groups
Head & Neck Cancer
3rd Monday of the month between 1:30 - 3 p.m.
Registration Required. Contact Joanne Assarsson, LICSW at 202-444-3755
GI Cancers Support
1st & 3rd Mondays of the month between 11:00-Noon
Registration Required: Contact Leonard Ellentuck, LICSW at 202-444-6288
Arts and Humanities Department
This program promotes an optimum life experience for patients, family and medical caregivers with events, resources, education and environments that encourage a creative and constructive response to illness.
- Expressive Writing
- Tuesday – 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Fabric Art
- Wednesday – Noon - 5 p.m.
- Thursday – 10 a.m. -3 p.m.
- Knitting
- Tuesday – Noon-1 p.m.
- 1st Tuesday of the month – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday – 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Tuesday – Noon-1 p.m.
- Beadwork
- Wednesday – 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
*Please Note: All times are approximate. Artists move throughout the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center clinic and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. For specific scheduling information, please contact Arts and Humanities Director, Julia Langley – 202-444-7228.
Wig Closet
Donated wigs are provided to patients in need – or who need a new look.
Contact Cheryl Hughes, LICSW, OSW-C at 202-444-3020.
Community Outreach at The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Learn more about upcoming events and community outreach initiatives.