Psychosocial services

All patients get a social worker after being diagnosed with cancer. Social workers meet with all patients and families to assess the families' needs. Your social worker helps with social, emotional, and financial needs related to the cancer diagnosis and treatment. They also look at work, school, sibling, insurance, transportation, and guardianship and custody needs.

Learn more about Children's social work program.

Specialists:

• Sheila Dodds (Oncology/BMT)
• Michelle Honeck (Oncology/BMT)
• Latoya Stamper (Hematology)

A child faces many new experiences while in the hospital, or when they are given a new diagnosis. Certified Child Life specialists are clinically-trained professionals in the field of child development, recognizing the impact of illness. Child Life specialists focus on teaching healthy coping strategies through the use of medical play, hands on preparation, diagnosis specific teaching, and support during potentially painful or stressful procedures. The goal of Child Life is to provide family centered care in supporting patients, parents, and siblings throughout their medical experiences.

Learn more about Children's Child Life program.

Learn more about MACC Fund Child Life team.

Specialists:

• Jill Fahner, CCLS
• Kelsey Tebbe, CCLS

Psychologists provide supportive counseling and teach families ways to cope with cancer-related distress. They also administer tests to assess patients' learning, emotions, and behaviors. All of these areas may be affected by cancer and its treatment.

Learn more about Children's Psychiatry program and Neuropsychology program.

Specialists:

Psychologists

• Kristin Bingen (Oncology/BMT)
• Jenny Hoag (Oncology/BMT)
• Jeffrey Karst (Hematology, Oncology/BMT)

Psychometrist

• Meghan Miller (Hematology, Oncology/BMT)

The palliative care team focuses on quality of life during cancer treatment. Palliative care services include emotional support and help with symptom management. They can help with end-of-life care and bereavement.

Learn more about Children's palliative care program and bereavement program.

Specialists:

• Sarah Dobrozsi
• Laurie Good

Recreational therapists use a variety of activities to address body, mind, social and emotional needs. Current and new activity interests can be used and modified to help patients remain active, and to improve quality of life and coping during treatment. Therapists can work with patients during 1:1 or small group sessions, and family members are also encouraged to join sessions.

Learn more about Children's recreational therapy program.

Specialists:

• Ann Freigang

Creative arts therapies are inpatient services. They address the mental health needs of patients related to being in the hospital. At this time, services available for patients on the MACC Fund Inpatient Unit include art and dance/movement therapy.

Learn more about Children's Creative Arts Therapies program.

Hospital-based teachers do bedside teaching for grade school through high school level patients. They work with your child's school teacher to keep them on track.

Learn more about Children's school and education support program.

Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support for patients and families of all faith traditions. They are helpful even for families who do not have a faith tradition. They support families during hospital stays. 

Learn more about Children's spiritual care services.

Massage therapy is a complimentary,alternative medicine used for children, teens, and young adults. Massage helps lower stress and worry that comes from being in the hospital. It also helps with muscle soreness or pain. 

Learn more about Children's massage therapy services.

Trained, certified therapy dogs offer comfort that helps with stress in the hospital. Therapy dogs also help distract from illness and hospital procedures. 

Learn more about Children's therapy dog program.