Cancer Social Work Services
The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute provides specialty-trained social workers who can provide advocacy, education, resources and compassion to help you and your family cope with cancer.
Social workers make up an important part of your care team. They bring a broad understanding of cancer, cancer treatment, survivorship, community resources, palliative care, hospice care, grief and bereavement.
They are available at several locations and by phone. Services include:
- Support around adjustment to your diagnosis
- Help with communication between you and your medical team
- Mental health recommendations and referrals
- Information and referrals for community-based services
- Grief and loss support
- Support to you, your caregivers and family
- Help mediating family conflict related to illness
- Help with transportation and lodging or housing
- Help with navigating OHSU
- Referrals for services through the Knight Cancer Institute’s partnership with the American Cancer Society
- Help with advance directives and end-of-life issues
- Help with palliative care
- Information and referrals for financial and insurance concerns
Our teams
Social workers are listed by the cancer type they specialize in or by location. If you don’t see the diagnosis you’re looking for, please call Caroline Macuiba at 503-418-9758.
Cancer and blood diseases
Peter Bennett, L.C.S.W., OSW-C, works with patients and families in the Radiation Oncology and Hematology and Medical Oncology clinics who are dealing with blood disorders, head and neck cancers, lung cancer or bladder and kidney cancers. 503-418-3544
Nancy Boyle, L.C.S.W., O.S.W.-C., works with patients and families dealing with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, blood disorders and stem cell transplants. 503-494-8787
Jessica Busse, L.C.S.W., provides support to survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancers and their families in the Pediatric Survivorship Clinic at Doernbecher. 503-418-1390
Verda Dew, L.C.S.W., works with patients and families in the Neuro Oncology Outpatient Clinic who are affected by brain tumors. 503-494-8301
Katie Hennessy, L.C.S.W., O.S.W.-C., supports patients and families in the Hematology and Medical Oncology clinic affected by melanoma or prostate, testicular or thyroid cancer. She also is a member of the outpatient palliative care team. 503-494-9244
Andrea Lehman, L.C.S.W., OSW-C, works with patients and families at our Northwest Portland community clinic. 971-262-9651
Caroline Macuiba, L.C.S.W., O.S.W.-C., is the team supervisor. She also supports patients and families affected by gastrointestinal cancers, and those receiving treatment in the outpatient infusion unit for gynecological cancers. 503-418-9758
Keren McCord, L.C.S.W., O.S.W.-C., works with patients and families dealing with leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, blood disorders and stem cell transplants. 503-418-5862
Christen Skolnick, L.C.S.W., O.S.W.-C., supports patients and families at our community clinics in east Portland and Gresham. 971-262-9806
KrisAnn Talarico, L.C.S.W., O.S.W.-C., supports patients and families affected by breast cancer and sarcoma. 503-494-6625
Cathy Weeks, L.C.S.W., O.S.W-C., supports patients and families at our community clinics in Beaverton and Tualatin. 971-262-9043
Dena Wellington, M.S.W., supports patients enrolled in the Oncology Care Model. 503-418-9768
Support during your hospital stay
Jen Smith, L.C.S.W., works with patients and their families dealing with bone marrow transplant and blood cancers during their stay at Kohler Pavilion. 503-346-1456
Patient and Family Services
Susan Hedlund, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., O.S.W.-C., is the manager of Patient and Family Support Services at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. She is on the faculty of the OHSU School of Medicine and Portland State University’s School of Social Work. 503-346-0285
Tina Johnson, B.S., is the social work specialist for Patient and Family Services. She supports the overall needs of the cancer social work team.