Cancer Support Programs

• Baptist Hospital (Fanny Baxter 615.284.5239 or fanny.baxter@baptisthospital.com)
• MTMC (Carole Williams 615.396.5618)
• Saint Thomas Hospital (Irene Bradford 615.222.3847)

Our team of nurse navigators, located within our three Centers for Breast Health, are specially trained to help patients manage their fears - after diagnosis and throughout treatment:

• Providing education-helping patients gather information for more informed decisions.
• Facilitating communication with their medical team-helping patients understand the tests and procedures they'll be facing and connecting patients with the many resources available.

Nurse Navigators serve as educators, advocates, guides, and liaisons between patients, their medical team, their family and our extensive network of support resources to facilitate treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. We will work with patients to coordinate appointments and tests with the medical team. Throughout the process we will be available to work with patients one-on-one for peace of mind.

Learn what to expect after your surgery so you can have a positive recovery experience both in the hospital and at home. Our pre-operative classes can help you:

• Learn how to better prepare for your surgery so you can be more comfortable and less apprehensive.
• Allow you to complete your preadmission testing either before or after the class session.

Experienced Breast Health Nurse Navigators will teach the class. They will cover topics including:

• Testing before your surgery
• What to expect the day of your surgery
• Care after your surgery
• Support and community services
• Home care
• Long-term survivorship
• Obtaining post-operative surgical garment

We welcome a family member or friend to come with you to the class. Please bring questions!

Weekly Breast Cancer Pre-Operative Classes:
Wednesdays - 1:00 p.m - Saint Thomas Hospital Center for Breast Health
Thursdays - 1:00 p.m. - MTMC Center for Breast Health: Suite 101 Seton Bldg.
Fridays - 9:30 a.m. - Baptist Hospital Center for Breast Health
Call 615.284.LADY (5239) to register.

H.O.P.E Program (Healing Through Optimism Persistence and Exercise)

This Cancer Wellness Program is a hospital based cancer care program at Saint Thomas and Baptist hospitals. The H.O.P.E program seeks to restore optimum health through physical activity during and after treatment. Our exercise physiologists are uniquely qualified to address the unique needs of patients and survivors recovering from surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, and they provide support and encouragement to help participants incorporate physical fitness as part of a lifelong wellness choice.

For more information call Saint Thomas Hospital Wellness Center 615.222.2056.

Our Life Therapies and Baptist Sports Medicine clinics offer physical therapy for oncology patients as well as the general orthopedic patient populations. Other treatment programs in our rehabilitation clinics include Lymphedema, Women's Health, Stretching and Strength conditioning, Pain management, Balance problems and Endurance training. We also offer Occupational and Speech Therapies.

For more information please call our Life Therapies Clinic at 615.284.7566

Beginning and intermediate yoga classes are offered every Thursday from 5:30am-6:30am and Saturday from 10:30am-11:30am in our Saint Thomas Wellness. This class combines pilates and gentle yoga postures designed for beginners and intermediates to help develop muscle tone, flexibility, improved posture, increased range of motion of still joints. Many participants report an increases sense of well-being with regular practice and a decrease in stress and anxiety as well. This is an excellent form of exercise and movement for not only patients and survivors but for any community member who would like to attend.

For more information on costs, please contact the Wellness Centers at Saint Thomas Hospital 615.222.2056.

As a faith based organization, we offer counselors, chaplains, and psychologists to assist you and your loved ones in need of spiritual or emotional support.

Baptist Hospital 615.284.5221
MTMC 615.396.5343
Saint Thomas Hospital 615.222.6602

• American Cancer Society
• Bridges to Care
• Daughters of Charity
• Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition