OncoveryCare

A couple days late, but congratulations to the leadership of #TennOncologyPracticeSociety for hosting an enormously successful annual conference on Sept 14. A great forum to share progress on care delivery innovations and legislative issues critical to supportive oncology care. Keynote by OncoveryCare Hil Moss hugely interesting in thinking about how much unmet need there is in survivorship. Association of Cancer Care Centers Richard Martin, Kate Baker, Amy Lydic, CAE, Debbie Skojac, Carolyn Kelsey, Courtney Atnip and others!

For many cancer survivors, the goal of a survivorship care plan is to support the survivor during the transition from active cancer treatment to the next phase of medical care. While each survivorship care plan (SCP) is slightly different, the ideal SCP can help you understand the plan for your care after treatment, has strategies to manage short and long-term effects of treatments, facilitates accurate and efficient communication between members of your future medical team, and empowers you to have more control over your health. Learn more about survivorship care plans, what to do if you never received a survivorship care plan, or how to use your survivorship care plan: https://lnkd.in/eDtk8MRf

We want to introduce you to our rockstar team member, Natasha Steele, MD/MPH! Natasha is a cancer survivor and physician with a background in public health and industry/academic scientific partnerships. She is passionate about using her dual perspective as a patient and healthcare provider to build novel strategies that address the complex needs of cancer survivors. At OncoveryCare, Natasha leads our peer support and care navigation teams. She is also currently on the faculty of Stanford University School of Medicine, where she practices perioperative medicine with a clinical focus on head and neck cancer. We are so grateful to have you on team Oncovery, Natasha!

Understanding Financial Toxicity in Cancer Care: An Overlooked Crisis Financial toxicity—a term describing the economic burden associated with cancer treatment—has become an alarming issue for both patients and survivors. Beyond the physical and emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis, the financial strain can be just as debilitating. What is Financial Toxicity? Financial toxicity refers to the distress and hardship caused by the high costs of cancer care. It’s not just about medical bills; it’s the cumulative financial impact, including lost income, travel expenses for treatment, and ongoing care costs. This can lead to difficult choices, such as delaying or forgoing necessary treatments, taking on significant debt, or even declaring bankruptcy. The Facts: Nearly 1 in 3 cancer patients in the U.S. experience financial hardship due to their diagnosis (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). Studies show that patients with high out-of-pocket costs are more likely to delay or skip medications, which can severely impact their health outcomes (American Cancer Society, 2021). What Can Be Done? Advocacy: We must push for more affordable and accessible healthcare options, ensuring that financial barriers do not dictate the quality of care a patient receives. Support: Encourage and support organizations that provide financial assistance to cancer patients. This can make a significant difference in their treatment journey. Education: It’s crucial to educate patients and their families on the importance of financial planning and health insurance options early in the diagnosis process. Addressing financial toxicity is critical to improving overall cancer care and survivorship. Let’s work together to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of life-saving treatments. #CancerCare #FinancialToxicity #HealthcareReform #CancerSurvivorship #PatientAdvocacy #Oncology

Neuropathy is a common side effect of treatment for many cancer survivors, causing symptoms like tingling, numbness, and pain. Even when neuropathy is referred to as "mild", it can still be a big deal and affect your well-being or ability to complete daily activities. At OncoveryCare, we understand how disruptive this can be. Identifying neuropathy early and trying different management strategies is crucial. Here are some strategies to consider: Medications: Consult your medical team for personalized advice. Movement & Weight Management: This can improve blood flow and may reduce inflammation Acupuncture & Massage: Evidence is mixed, but some survivors find this helpful Mindfulness & Therapy: Learning relaxation techniques can complement physical treatments. By working closely with healthcare providers, survivors can find ways to manage neuropathy and improve their quality of life. Learn more about OncoveryCare’s tips, tricks, and recommendations for Neuropathy: https://lnkd.in/gCcPTxpD #CancerSurvivorship #NeuropathyCare #OncoveryCare #Healthcare #CancerTreatment #Neuropathy

Thanks to Mary Caffrey for this feature on OncoveryCare—and our partnership to "power" Tennessee Oncology's survivorship care—in the most recent issue of AJMC - The American Journal of Managed Care. Our co-founder and CEO, Hil Moss had the chance to share a bit about what we are building at Oncovery and why we're building it, as well as to hear from the incredible Dr. Natalie Dickson, President & CEO of Tennessee Oncology. To quote her: “By collaborating with OncoveryCare and leveraging our practice’s resources and clinical knowledge, we aim to create tailored protocols and systems to support the unique needs of the growing population of patients,” she told EBO. “Processes which should be easily adapted and implemented by practices of varying sizes and capabilities. Our initiative aligns with ASCO-COA oncology medical home certification standards, enhancing comprehensive oncology care delivery. Ultimately, this investment underscores our commitment to improving survivorship care and upholding quality and value standards, in line with the principles advocated through my work with ASCO and COA.” You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/ey2vT5eK

Sleep is important for maintaining so many parts of our physical and mental health. After a cancer diagnosis, you might find yourself struggling with both falling and staying asleep for a variety of different, completely understandable reasons. For many reasons, patients with cancer and cancer survivors are up to 3 times more likely to report insomnia compared to the general population, and insomnia unfortunately can remain a problem in survivorship. In fact, up to 95% of patients with cancer report sleep disturbances during the disease and treatment trajectory, as well as in survivorship. Read more about OncoveryCare’s thoughts on Survivorship and Sleep, as well as tips, tricks, and recommendations to better your sleep: https://lnkd.in/g56gRwjM #sleep #survivors #cancer #cancersurvivorship #OncoveryCare

💥We're hiring a Survivorship Behavioral Health Clinician!💥 Join OncoveryCare as a Survivorship Behavioral Health Clinician to support cancer survivors through trauma-informed, evidence-based mental health care. You'll provide individual and group therapy, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and help shape the future of survivorship care. Requirements: 3+ years in psycho-oncology, Master’s or doctorate degree in clinical psychology, counseling, or clinical social work (e.g., LCSW, LMFT, PsyD, or PhD), and proficiency in CBT/ACT. Apply to make an impact! #linkedinjobs #hiring #behavioralhealth #clinician #job #survivorship #cancer

💥 We’re hiring a Survivorship RN Care Navigator at OncoveryCare! 💥 We’re searching for a passionate and enthusiastic individual to join our growing clinical team! As a Survivorship RN Care Navigator, you will play a crucial role in connecting patients with the personalized resources they need to thrive. Collaborating with our multidisciplinary team—including survivorship MDs, NPs, LCSWs, and Peer Guides—you will guide cancer survivors and their families as they transition from active treatment to survivorship. You will also have an opportunity to help shape the future landscape of survivorship care through working closely with executive leadership on program delivery and patient experience. Apply today or share within your network!

Today, as part of our “Survivor Voices” series, we are grateful for the opportunity to share the story of  primary bone lymphoma (PBL) survivor, Kate. Kate, who was diagnosed in 2023, looks back on her experience and diagnosis with gratitude and at a future with a new outlook on life. After having knee pain that prohibited her from bending her knee, Kate’s husband recommended she see a doctor and get it looked at. “After two months of countless tests, I finally got my diagnosis. It turns out, I have an extremely rare type of lymphoma called primary lymphoma of the bone. PLB originates from the bone marrow rather than a lymph node. There is not much research on it, hence why it took so long to confirm my diagnosis. Once my diagnosis was confirmed, I was ready to rock and roll and get started on whatever treatment plan was getting thrown at me” After active treatment, Kate found that her perspective on life really changed. “Survivorship to me, means adapting to a new normal, where physical and emotional scars remain, but where resilience and hope also thrive. It’s about learning to embrace life with a new perspective, cherishing every moment, and finding joy in the small victories. It also means facing ongoing fears and uncertainties, but doing so with a sense of empowerment and determination.” While survivorship is never linear or a one-size-fits-all, Kate is grateful for the lessons that she’s learned over the course of her journey, thus far. “Surviving cancer has profoundly transformed my outlook (on life). Survivorship has taught me to treasure each moment and focus on what truly matters. I’ve come to value the small victories and find joy in every day. Cancer has also shown me the importance of embracing vulnerability. In a world where everyone often showcases their "highlight reel," I've discovered that being open about my own struggles helps me connect deeply with others facing their own challenges. We all have our battles, and it's through genuine human connection and support that we navigate them together.” To read the rest of Kate’s story, visit our blog: https://lnkd.in/e9eGNNMS