The A Team is Ready to Support Cancer Patients

Each patient approaches life with cancer and as a cancer survivor in their own way. And most patients want and need care beyond medical treatment. 

These principles are foundational to the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, where patients have access to a multidisciplinary team and care that is dedicated to their specific needs. Two new members of that team bring a unique set of skills. 

Social Workers Angelica Newsome, LCSW-C, and Alexandra Hunt, LCSW-C, have been dubbed the A Team and are, in their own words, “problem solvers.” 

Alex explains: “It can be as simple as getting the patient a drink of water or helping them complete forms or finding them resources like transportation. 

“Cancer not only affects the patient, it affects their family and friends. When the patient needs help, it affects their care team. I really like that we all work together and must have a relationship to give the best care.” 

“We’re here for the caregivers, as well,” Angelica adds. “Recently the wife of a patient was in distress, asking, ‘how do I do this?’ 

“She knew all the (medical) information. She needed to hear it again. She needed me to walk her through it. And she finally said, ‘You know, I just need to cry right now. He’s upstairs inpatient and I just ran down here because I need to cry and I can’t let him see that.’” 

Angelica’s response as an oncology social worker was a simple one: “I can just sit with you. Take all the time you need.” 

While both women are licensed clinical social workers with health care experience, both were new to oncology when they arrived in April. Their first several weeks on the job were spent not in patient care but in continuing education. Oncology Support Services (OSS) Director Dawn Stefanik, BSN, RN, OCN, enrolled her two new team members in classes to improve their understanding of cancer care – from the continuum of care to the psychosocial needs of cancer patients. The two also participate in the Berman Cancer Institute’s multidisciplinary Tumor Board meetings, where they not only contribute to treatment planning but are continuing to build their understanding of oncology and the needs of the patients they serve.

Alex and Angelica also continue to deepen their appreciation for the standard of care at the Berman Cancer Institute and GBMC. 

“Oncology really exemplifies what expert, compassionate care can and should look like for patients in our hospital system – in all hospital systems,” Angelica says. “It’s really ‘all hands on deck.' Tumor Board is a perfect example of that. And it’s happening multiple times a week.” 

Alex agrees. “That’s something I really love about this job. Everyone at GBMC is so passionate about helping patients and their families. We all work together every day to provide the best care. 

“We know the doctors personally and the nurses personally. The relationships we build with the team are crucial with navigating the issues and concerns that patients have.” 

Alex has found working in the Berman Cancer Institute more fulfilling. “I don’t feel alone, especially with Angelica helping me. It has been a great experience to have the OSS team for support.” 

Alex has been a social worker since 2019 and has provided mental health therapy for a variety of clients, from elementary schools to nursing homes. “My background is primarily in mental health therapy,” she says. “But I’ve always wanted to pursue a hospital setting. 

“At GBMC I get to provide counseling, support groups and I also get to provide case management – all the things I’m passionate about are wrapped into my role at GBMC.” 

Angelica’s background is in health administration, which she studied as an undergraduate. She has been a social worker since 2016 and earned her clinical license in 2019. Her first experience was in a hospital, on a team with nurses, community health workers and physicians. 

Next, “I went to a private health group that was focused on disease management for Medicare and Medicaid patients -- keeping them from returning to the hospital. I wanted to stretch my legs and went into private practice.” Coming to GBMC was like “coming home,” she says. “It feels like where I belong. I get to work not just with patients but with their families too. I like being part of a team.” 

They have offices in OSS and the members of the A Team can be found in nearly every care space within the Sandra R. Berman Pavilion. They have sat in with patients when they needed a second set of ears in their meeting with their oncologist and have helped with applications for financial benefits. And when they don’t have the answer, they know where to find it, referring patients to their nurse navigator or the financial navigator team.

Alex Hunt and Angelica Newsome find their work in the Berman Cancer Institute to be immensely rewarding. The patients they serve are delighted to have a positive, capable A Team in their corner.