Due to increased precautions surrounding COVID-19 (coronavirus), Huntsman Cancer Institute is upholding its commitment to keeping you and others safe. Please visit https://healthcare.utah.edu/coronavirus or call your cancer care team for the latest information about visitors and appointments.
Social Workers for Patients & Families
People facing cancer are often scared about what may happen. They may worry about how their loved ones will cope and what the future will be like.
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, our Patient & Family Support social workers help patients deal with these feelings and concerns. They are an important part of your care team.
Social workers help in many ways by providing these services:
- One-on-one, couples, and family counseling
- Education and support groups
- Tips for better communication
- Stress management
- Help for depression and anxiety
- Filling out advance directives
- Spiritual care resources
- Support for practical concerns such as finances and work-related issues
- Resources for caregivers
Find more information about support and coping on our patient education resources web portal.
Classes & Support Groups
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) offers many support and education groups for patients and loved ones. Some are general. Others are specific to gender, language, and type of cancer. These classes and groups are a way to share feelings and connect with others who are affected by cancer. Here is a current list.
Amyloidosis Education & Support Group (Virtual)
Q&A sessions with a Huntsman Amyloidosis provider held quarterly.
For patients, families, and friends.
For more information or to be notified about the next meeting, please contact Nico Cheek-O'Donnell at 801-587-4695 or Nico.Cheek-ODonnell@hci.utah.edu.
Body Image Clinic
One-on-one sessions for men and women adjusting to physical changes of cancer treatment
Contact: Lisa Gauchay, MSW, LCSW
801-585-0212
Brain Tumor Education & Support Group
For newly diagnosed patients and their caregivers
For more information and link to virtual group:
Deborah Harless, LCSW
801-581-2585
Breast Cancer Support Group
For women with metastatic breast cancer
To learn more about the Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group, contact Lisa Gauchay, MSW, LCSW at 801-585-0212 or lisa.gauchay@hci.utah.edu.
Caregiver Education & Support Group (Virtual)
For Huntsman Caregivers
Tuesdays, Noon-1 pm
Available through Zoom.
Email HCICareGiverGroup@hci.utah.edu for registration and instruction.
Head & Neck Cancer Support Group
2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month, 10 am-11 am
Trailview Conference Room, 6th Floor, HCI Cancer Hospital
Contact: Mary Haug, LCSW
801-213-5651 or Mary.Haug@hci.utah.edu
Loss to Cancer Grief Support Group (Virtual)
Support group for caregivers and loved ones who have lost an HCI patient to cancer. Groups meet weekly for 8 sessions. Limited spots available in each group cycle.
For instructions on how to register or more information:Emily.Rousseau@hci.utah.edu
Men's Cancer Support Group (Virtual)
Thursdays at 1:00 pm
Call 801-213-5940 or email Julio.Jarvis@hci.utah.edu to sign up.
Multiple Myeloma Education & Support Group (Virtual)
3rd Wednesday each month, 1:00 pm
For patients, families, and friends.
In collaboration with MyelomaCrowd and then International Myeloma Foundation.
For instructions on how to register or more information:
Nico Cheek-O'Donnell
801-587-4695 or Nico.Cheek-ODonnell@hci.utah.edu
Survivorship Counseling
Coping skills for people who have completed cancer treatments for six months or more
Julio Jarvis: 801-213-5940
Elizabeth Silvester: 801-213-5939
Lisa Gauchay: 801-585-0212
Rachal Buchanan: 801-213-6373
Women's Cancer Survivorship Group (Virtual)
Cancer treatment was hard, but surviving cancer can be too. There is support available. This group provides support and education for women who have completed treatment for various cancer types.
Meets monthly, contact Laurie Coleman, LCSW for more information
801-213-5331 or laurie.coleman@hci.utah.edu
Young Adult Connections
Young Adult Connections is a social group for people with cancer ages 18-39 and their partner or a friend. Events on the third Thursday each month offer the chance to connect, enjoy social activities, and hear educational presentations about adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer topics. Find event details on the HIAYA Cancer Group Facebook page.
Contact and RSVP: Karlie Allen, AYA Patient Navigator, 801-646-4005
Contact Us
Patient and Family Support at Huntsman Cancer Institute
2000 Circle of Hope
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
801-213-5699
Hours: Monday—Friday, 8 am–4:30 pm
Social Workers for Inpatients
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Inpatient Unit, 4th Floor
801-213-5612
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Hematology Inpatient Unit, 4th Floor
801-213-6101
Intensive Care Unit, 5th Floor
801-213-4361
801-587-4665
Medical Oncology Inpatient Unit, 4th Floor
801-587-4397
801-213-5712
Surgical Inpatient Unit, 5th Floor and North Wing
810-587-9208
801-213-8472
Social Workers for Outpatients
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)
801-213-4283
Brain, Spine, & Skull Base Cancers
801-581-2585
Breast Cancer
801-585-0212
801-213-4393
Dermatology, Melanoma, & Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)
801-213-5609
Gastrointestinal Cancers - Oncology
801-587-4753
Gynecological Cancers
801-213-8458
Head & Neck Cancers
801-213-5651
Hematology, Leukemia, & Lymphoma
801-213-5659
Lung Cancer
801-585-9150
Multiple Myeloma
801-587-4753
Sarcoma
801-587-4753
Urologic Cancers
801-585-0138
Farmington Health Center
801-213-6373
South Jordan Health Center
801-213-5331
Sugar House Health Center
801-213-5940
801-213-5939
