Support Groups | Nutrition Care Services | Hospitality Inn | Van Service | Pastoral Care | Medical Benefits Counseling
Cancer Registry | American Cancer Society

Along your pathway to healing, you'll find there are many people connected to our Cancer Center who are available to provide spiritual and emotional support. One of them is our oncology social worker. She has more than 15 years of experience in oncology counseling. She can help with any special needs you may have, from prescription assistance, to fitting for wigs, to advising you and your family about appropriate support programs and services.

• Emotional Support
• Resource Library
• Care for the Caregiver
• Family Consults with Physicians
• Grief Counseling
• Non-Denominational Prayer Service (every day)
• Prayer Baskets

Look Good…Feel Better Program

This is a monthly program in partnership with the American Cancer Society that is designed to help women diagnosed with cancer cope with changes in their appearance that may result from chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments. This program is presented by licensed area cosmetologists and hair stylists who provide make-up, hair-styling and scarf-tying pointers. They also provide free, private consultations, if requested. Lunch is served.

Where: Susquehanna Health Cancer Center
When: First Monday of each month, 11 am - 1 pm
To register, please call: 326-8555

Cancer Exercise Program

Research has shown that exercising is important on your pathway to healing. We invite you to take advantage of this specially developed exercise program that can help lessen and control the side effects of cancer treatment. Please call to register for a personalized consultation with an exercise therapist.

Where: Costello Center Physical Therapy, Wenner Building, 1705 Warren Avenue, Williamsport
To schedule an appointment: 320-7470

Breast Cancer Support Group

This self-help/education group is designed for women living with breast cancer. Within this safe, nurturing environment, participants discuss treatment options, emotions, self-esteem, concerns and triumphs. June Kilgus-Zimmerman, an oncology social worker, facilitates this monthly group.

Where: Susquehanna Health Cancer Center
When: Last Monday of each month, at 7 pm
Please call: 326-8555

Prostate Cancer Support Group

This self-help/education group is for men who have prostate cancer and their spouses, partners or family members. Typically, a medical presentation is held in the first 30 minutes. Separate support groups for the men and their supportive partners are held immediately following. The group explores ways to deal with prostate cancer and the possible effects of treatment. Physicians and psychologists are present for this program.

Where: Divine Providence Hospital, Auditorium Room B
When: First Wednesday of each month, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
For more information, please call: 320-7525

Bereavement Support Group

Whether your loss was recent or happened in the past, our support group can help you through the grieving process, allowing you to share your feelings and receive support from others.

Muncy Valley Hospital, Muncy
Where: Park View Room
When: Generally, the Second Tuesday of each month, 2 pm – 3 pm
For more information, contact: Sister Sharon Hartman, 546-8282.

The Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center, Williamsport
Where: The Hospitality Lounge, 802 Campbell Street entrance to the hospital
When: Third Wednesday of each month, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
For more information, contact: Pat Kiernan, 320-7690.

Divine Providence Hospital, Williamsport
Where: Third floor near The Gatehouse
When: First Wednesday of each month, 1 pm – to 2:30 pm
For information, call: 320-7690.

Our cancer specialists work with on-site dieticians to provide nutrition programs especially designed for cancer patients. If you decide to pursue a non-conventional treatment in conjunction with traditional cancer care, our specialists will discuss how complementary therapies can impact your diet. Our registered dieticians consult with every patient who is at high risk for nutritional problems, or by special request.

If you're traveling to our Cancer Center from outside of the area, consider staying at our Hospitality Inn. One unique and innovative way in which Susquehanna Health helps patients and families is by providing free overnight accommodations on the Divine Providence Hospital and The Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center campuses. Since its opening, the Hospitality Inn has offered a warm welcome to many guests.

Our van driver, Tom Hefner, makes daily trips to Eastern Lycoming and Clinton Counties to help ease the strain of travel to and from cancer treatments. To request Tom to pick you up at home, contact the Cancer Center team prior to your appointment.

The Pastoral Care Team of Susquehanna Health recognizes that your stay in our Cancer Center will have periods of strain and worry. We understand that many of our patients and their families find solace in sharing their faith and talking with spiritual guides to find comfort and peace.

Cancer therapy can be very expensive, and we know the bills can add more worry to an already stressful situation. Patients who are self-insured or under-insured can receive benefits counseling, coordinated by Cancer Center Social Services. A medical case worker is on site every Wednesday from 8 am to 12 pm to discuss individual eligibility for medical insurance assistance. If you are interested in receiving financial aid, you should schedule an appointment early in your treatment process. Call: 570-326-8203 or 800-598-4282 for more information.

The Cancer Registry is a key component to Susquehanna Health's cancer program. The cancer registry collects, maintains and manages health data pertaining to cancer patients who are diagnosed with cancer and/or who are treated for cancer at the Cancer Center. This data is submitted to the National Cancer Database and the PA Cancer Registry to compare our local experience of cancer incidence.

The confidential information collected for the registry is used to assist physicians in monitoring and evaluating cancer treatments, education, research and follow-up.

Our registry is in complete compliance with the American College of Surgeons' (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (COC) and the Pennsylvania Cancer Registry's (PCR) requirements. Our registry staff are members of the Pennsylvania Association of Cancer Registrars (PACR) and the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA).

For information on American Cancer Society programs, call the National Cancer Center at 800-ACS-2345 or visit their website at cancer.org.