Supportive Care Clinic
We believe that treating the whole person is as important as treating the cancer itself. That’s why we have a team of professionals, all in one place, to provide supportive care alongside your primary cancer team. UAB Medicine’s Supportive Care Clinic helps patients manage the symptoms and side effects often associated with serious illnesses such as cancer, advanced heart failure, and advanced lung disease. Whether patients have completed or are still receiving treatment, our goal is to help them fulfill their maximum physical, emotional, spiritual, vocational, and social potential. The clinic is staffed by a diverse group of professionals, including:
- Physicians and nurse practitioners who have special expertise in managing complex symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite, and pain syndromes.
- Nurses who support patients by facilitating the clinic visits and responding to phone calls. They are the front line of patient care.
- Physical therapists who develop individualized programs for each patient to help improve coordination, balance, strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Counselors who are experienced in designing counseling sessions that meet the specific needs of each patient. Individual, couples, and family sessions are available.
- Nutritionists who have expertise in helping ensure that patients with serious illness receive proper nourishment.
- Massage therapists who are trained in many types of massage, including oncology massage, which is a specialized approach that supports the body’s health before, during, and after cancer treatment.
- Chaplains who confidentially and compassionately support the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their loved ones, regardless of their faith.
Referrals to the Supportive Care Clinic can be made by any treating physician or nurse, and individuals may self-refer as well. The clinic accepts a wide range of insurance plans and offers flexible appointment scheduling based on patients’ needs.
The clinic is located on the second floor of The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital. To make an appointment, please call 205-801-8624.
For more information about the Cancer Rehabilitation Plus Program, click here.
Supportive Care Classes
Virtual Yoga Classes (Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m.)
UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM) offers virtual yoga classes every Wednesday. AIM seeks to transform the care environment and enhance well-being and healing through creative arts experiences for patients, their families, and staff. Integrating the arts into health care is proven to benefit patients and caregivers in the following ways:
- Reduced stress
- Reduction in perceived pain
- Improved mood
- Distraction from medical problems
- Increased self-expression
- Increased self-confidence
Sessions led by Kim Richardson
Spiritual Health Sessions (Thursdays, 9-10 a.m.)
UAB Spiritual Health serves the diverse spiritual and/or emotional needs of all persons. The Spiritual Health team invites care recipients to identify and use their own unique resources for coping. We believe that healing can occur in the absence of cure. Some have described it as a sense of resolution or peace – that’s the impact of spiritual health.
Sessions led by Manager of Spiritual Health Damien Littlejohn
Mindfulness Classes (Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.)
UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM) is excited to offer virtual mindfulness classes every Thursday. AIM seeks to transform the care environment and enhance well-being and healing through creative arts experiences for patients, their families, and staff. Integrating the arts into health care is proven to benefit patients and caregivers in the following ways:
- Reduced stress
- Reduction in perceived pain
- Improved mood
- Distraction from medical problems
- Increased self-expression
- Increased self-confidence
Sessions led by Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk
Arts in Medicine Rotating Classes (Thursdays, 11 a.m.-noon)
UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM) seeks to transform the care environment and enhance well-being and healing through creative arts experiences for patients, their families, and staff. Integrating the arts into health care is proven to benefit patients and caregivers in the following ways:
- Reduced stress
- Reduction in perceived pain
- Improved mood
- Distraction from medical problems
- Increased self-expression
- Increased self-confidence
AIM offers programs that feature:
- Dance and movement – led by Melissa Turnage
- Visual art – led by Avivi Behel
- Theatre arts – led by Cristal Brister
Hungry for More – Cancer and Nutrition (the 3rd Monday of every month at noon)
Proper nutrition is very important for healing and recovery during and after cancer treatment. Cancer and cancer treatments may affect your taste, smell, and appetite and also may make it difficult to eat enough or for your body to absorb nutrients. Learn more about nutrition through these educational seminars.
Tight-Knit Knitting Classes (Mondays beginning August 31 , 3-5 p.m. in Wallace Tumor Institute room 101)
Tight-Knit is a new knitting group open to all UAB oncology patients. Join us to learn a new craft and build a new community of support.
The group will be led by UAB Heersink School of Medicine student Sarika Mullapudi and volunteers from Blazing Hooks and Needles. No knitting experience is required, as Tight-Knit is open to all skill levels.
Supplies and instructions will be provided. However, if you already have yarn, needles, or projects that you are working on, feel free to bring them. Participants will be able to knit a variety of items (scarves, blankets, hats, and more), which they may keep or donate to hospital patients.
If you have questions about Tight-Knit, please contact Sarika at 281-954-1158 or email skmullap@uab.edu.
Treatment
September 19, 2023
Outreach
September 6, 2023
Prevention
August 29, 2023
