Earlier this fall, Shore Regional Cancer Center launched its new Cancer Recovery & Survivorship Program (CARES) program. In this program, Oncology Nurse Navigator Margot Spies plays an expanded role as a survivorship navigator, coordinating a four-week survivorship transition program. The Center’s new direction coincides with the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer requirement that 100 percent of cancer patients receive survivorship navigation by 2015.

The pilot session of classes concluded recently, graduating its first eight participants.

All patients will be enrolled in the CARES Program at the beginning of treatment. They will be assigned to the CARES classes that follow treatment in their recovery phase. The CARES goal is to direct patients to earlier intervention or prevention of side effects of their cancer treatments. This includes referrals to physical rehabilitation, complementary therapies, support groups and education as well as other resources for healthier living.

Spies adds, “We want to draw on the excellent services we have at Shore Health and expand and improve those services for our oncology patients,” says Spies. “We also wish to collaborate with services in our community to assist patients to seek healthier lifestyles.”

The classes are scheduled for four Tuesdays in January, April, July and October. To learn more about the program, contact Spies at mspies@shorehealth.org.

In photo: CARES participants and faculty celebrate the completion of the pilot CARES program session. Front row (left to right) are Gabrielle Smith; Duke Blythe; Margot Spies, BSN, RN, OCN, CARES Class Facilitator and Oncology Nurse Navigator for Shore Regional Cancer Center and Hedley Batters. Back row (left to right) are Lou Hyman; Christine Allen RD, LDN; Josephine Batters; Joyce Bowers; Carol Hill; Patty Plaskon PhD, OSW-C, Oncology Social Worker; Karen Hyman; Linda Blythe; Teresa Blem, Physical Therapist, Director of Rehabilitation Services for Shore Health.