Ask an Oncology Expert with Brandon Costantino

Brandon Costantino is the Oncology Support Program Manager in the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC and Senior Ambulatory Practice Manager for the Milton J. Dance Jr. Head & Neck Center. He has been at GBMC since 2017. Prior to GBMC, he worked for more than 11 years at the American Cancer Society, most recently as the Patient Resource Navigator at University of Maryland’s Greenebaum Cancer Center.

Oncology Support Services (OSS) is available to support patients beyond the medical treatment side of cancer care and to alleviate the many burdens that come with a cancer diagnosis. Brandon and his team help oncology patients and their families navigate the emotional and practical support needed when going through treatment for cancer. On Wednesday, June 8, Brandon shared many interesting and important points about how OSS benefits GBMC patients. Here are the top takeaways from the discussion:

• OSS offers services to support both patients and caregivers through a cancer diagnosis. The patients who utilize OSS are not billed for the services provided. OSS is an integral piece to the Berman Cancer Institute. Patients can self-refer to OSS or they can be referred by someone on their medical team.
• The most common concerns Brandon sees from patients is affordability of treatment, fear of the unknown and the effect the diagnosis will have on their loved ones. The OSS team strives to comfort patients and help them cope with these concerns. For example, if finances are a concern, the OSS team will help patients find programs that may address their specific needs. If a patient is worried about transportation to and from treatment, the OSS team arrange transportation and sometimes pay for it as well.
• Any GBMC oncology patient can utilize the services provided by OSS without receiving an additional bill for these services. The program relies entirely on community donations and philanthropy.

You can support this remarkable program in your community by donating to the Oncology Support Services program in the Berman Cancer Institute. All services provided rely entirely on philanthropic support to continue for patients.