Circle of Hope

A year ago this month, Huntsman Cancer Institute opened an innovative new service: Huntsman at Home. Huntsman at Home seeks to deliver HCI-quality care to patients in their own homes. The goal is to help patients leave the hospital earlier or avoid inpatient and emergency department visits altogether.

This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the Hispanic Patient Navigator program at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Patient navigators serve as a bridge between patients and their care teams. Navigators make sure patients, caregivers, and doctors understand each other and get needed services.

Recently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall on breast implants manufactured by Allergan. We asked Jay Agarwal, MD, chief of plastic surgery at the University of Utah and breast reconstruction surgeon at Huntsman Cancer Institute, about what patients should know about the recall.

Staying active during cancer treatment can be difficult. Side effects, appointments, and stress can make it hard to keep moving. But physical activity during cancer treatment can help you feel better and improve your quality of life.

Did you know that HCI’s Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness and Integrative Health Center offers music therapy for our patients and their caregivers, both in and out of the hospital? We have three credentialed music therapists who work in groups or private sessions.

Huntsman Cancer Institute is celebrating its 20th year since it opened its first building, and has never been in better shape, according to CEO Mary Beckerle, PhD. Beckerle recently delivered her annual State of HCI address to faculty, physicians, staff, and students.

Audrey Matthews has a unique way of honoring the memory of her daughter Natalie, who died in a car accident at the age of 19. Twice a year, on Natalie’s birthday and the anniversary of her death, Audrey and her family donate quilts through their nonprofit, 19 Quilts for Natalie.