Your team at the Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Family Cancer and Blood Disorders Center includes your primary care provider, physician specialists in cancer treatment including medical, surgical and radiation oncology, radiation therapists, dosimetrists, physicists, nurses, dietitians, chaplains, RN care coordinator, social workers, psychologists, behavioral health counselors, educators and experts in any other service you might require or desire.

Team and Roles

We understand that you are being asked to make important decisions at a time when you might not be feeling your best. As part of your cancer care plan, all members of your cancer team are committed to helping you navigate through the health care system, to identify when options are to be considered and to help you understand them so you and your family can make a fully informed decision.

The RN Care Coordinator will:

• Introduce the scope of cancer services, including integrative therapies
• Complete a holistic assessment of personal strengths and needs
• Explore tips for healthy living and coping skills to help you during your treatment and beyond
• Offer early referral to other support team members or appropriate services

The Social Worker offers psychosocial and emotional support, and assists in connecting you to local, regional and national resources available such as:

• Transportation/lodging
• Financial assistance
• Home care/hospice
• Support groups
• Power of Attorney for Health Care/Advanced Directives

The Registered Dietitian is available to design a nutrition plan to meet your needs and:

• Assess nutritional status
• Develop a plan to meet nutrition needs during and after cancer treatment
• Offer counseling and support to help reduce side effects of treatment
• Provide information about nutrition for cancer prevention
• Present educational programs on nutrition and cancer
• Provides supportive counseling and emotional support

Chaplains are available to offer emotional and spiritual support to you and your family throughout your cancer journey. The chaplain can help you with:

• Discovery of meaning and hope through diagnosis and care
• Spiritual practices in coping and healing
• Children's understanding of illness and loss
• Faith-related questions and exploration
• Grief and loss concerns
• Faith community interests and connections
• Power of Attorney for Health Care/Advanced Directives

The Clinical Nurse Specialist works closely with the support team and is available to offer you and your family for:

• Management of symptoms related to your cancer or treatment
• Survivorship visits
• Insurance Verification

The American Cancer Society (ACS) Navigator assists with the following services:

• Connection to American Cancer Society and community-based programs\
• Access to medical equipment
• Transportation/lodging
• Wigs, hats, turbans and prostheses
• Links to financial resources

Volunteers play an important role in cancer care through their caring presence and support by offering:

• Reassuring and listening presence
• Hospitality
• Relaxing harp music
• Caring Hands (hand massage)
• Program support