Your Health Care Team

The stem cell transplantation team is made up of health care professionals from various disciplines and who are educated and trained in the care of cancer and stem cell transplant patients. Team members at the Stem Cell Transplantation Program include hematologists-oncologists, radiation oncologists, midlevel practitioners, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, physical therapists and physician consultants from various specialties. The team also includes members of the Stem Cell Laboratory, which processes stem cells so that an appropriate number of purified cells can be given to a patient.

Each patient is thoroughly evaluated by the team prior to transplantation to determine the patient's specific needs. The team monitors the patient throughout treatment and counsels them on post-transplant complications and what to expect during the transplantation process. Team members meet weekly to evaluate each patient's progress and they maintain communication with the patient's primary physician to update him or her on the patient's status and to plan the details of patient follow up.

Care following discharge varies for patients depending on whether they receive autologous stem cell transplants or allogeneic stem cell transplants, in addition to whether they can receive stem cell transplantation on an outpatient basis.

Team members can assist with obtaining low-cost living arrangements for patients and family members during the treatment and follow-up care. Support also is provided to assist patients and their families with financial concerns and psychological, psychosocial and physical needs.