Getting to Know the Cancer Team: Q&A with Brandon Costantino

At the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, it is standard for patients to begin treatment within three days of referral. Those early days can bring a jarring new reality for patients and their loved ones. While patients are receiving treatment, everyone involved deserves support and compassion. GBMC’s Oncology Support Services program offers that compassion in an array of services, all aimed at maintaining or improving the quality of life of our patients and those closest to them.

Meet Senior Ambulatory Practice Manager for the Milton J. Dance Jr. Head & Neck Center and Oncology Support Services Program Manager Brandon Costantino. Costantino is understandably proud of the program and the staff who deliver it.

What is the best part of your day?

When patients come back and say, “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” We get cards in the mail from patients, and those kinds of things are a constant reminder of why it’s important to keep working hard and improving. Even if we don’t hear back from a patient, I love knowing we have lightened a burden for them.

What do you want people to know about Oncology Support Services?

From the day a patient is diagnosed until the day they finished treatment, we will do whatever we can to support you: in mind, body and spirit. We want people to feel like they don’t want to leave the Cancer Center, rather than they hate coming to it. Our staff includes three social workers, a survivorship nurse, a patient navigator, a community outreach coordinator, and an administrator. Each professional on our team has an integral role in working with patients and their loved ones from diagnosis to survivorship.

What, in your opinion, is the greatest offering of Oncology Support Services?

The way we look at it is reducing barriers to care.” There is no one aspect of our service that is not important or doesn’t offer a significant value to a cancer patient’s experience. Be it depression, fear, spousal issues, intimacy issues, house cleaning, or transportation, whatever keeps our patients from doing the things they need to do to ensure quality of life for them and their loved ones. That’s the problem we want to solve. An offering that I’m particularly proud of is our Boutique. We offer wig fittings, salon and cosmetology services, and massage therapy services. Our Boutique manager, Lynne Caddick, is a certified prosthesis fitter. I realize there are bigger issues facing our patients, but when we can help someone feel good about themselves when they’re going through so much, we work hard to get it right.

When you’re not working, what is your perfect day?

A perfect day is spending time with my kids and my wife. I’m a mountain guy, and I like to skate and snowboard.

How can people learn more about Oncology Support Services?

Stop by any time! I’m very proud of this work and I’m always available to brag about it. You can email me or just visit the Oncology Support Services webpage.

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