The Catalyst Issue 23 | December 2015 | Page 5

Each patient’s needs are met by a team of specialists that includes primary care physicians, surgeons, radiologists, nurses, social workers, genetic counselors, nutritionists, pathologists, and other caregivers and staff. This team creates and delivers a customized treatment plan unique to every patient. the Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center in Temple and at McLane Children’s. Planned renovations in patient care areas will enhance the patient experience at Scott & White Cancer Center - Killeen. Baylor Scott & White is also hiring additional patient navigators to connect patients with information, advocate on their behalf, and guide them through the myriad of questions and scheduling nuances of the care experience. Patient navigators, who are most often experienced nurses with a personal history of cancer treatment, can make a tremendous difference in a patient’s attitude and quality of life. These caregivers help ensure that patients’ clinical and non-clinical needs, such as nutritional and psychosocial needs, are addressed to improve their health and quality of life, both during and after treatment. Achieving our vision Expanding cancer care services requires a partnership between Baylor Scott & White and the communities we serve. We’re embarking on an ambitious fundraising effort for the Scott & White Cancer Institute to ensure the continuation and expansion of stateof-the-art cancer care services at our many locations. Jana Sharpley, president of the Scott & White Healthcare Foundation, says, “We’re making this investment because we want our oncology patients to have easier access to cancer care services. In this environment of increasing regulation, unfunded mandates, demand for services, and rising costs, it is philanthropy that allows us to keep pace with advances in cancer technology and care. Philanthropy makes the difference.” In this issue of The Catalyst you’ll read about all we’re doing to enhance cancer care programs at our regional locations. We invite you to share our journey, become involved, and make your voice heard. It’s often been said that fighting cancer is a marathon, not a sprint. At Baylor Scott & White, we’re putting cancer on the run. n Baylor Scott & White Health and the Translational Genomics Research Institute are focused on accelerating early detection and treatments for a broad range of cancers. The joint effort focuses on three research areas: n Women’s cancers n Abdominal malignancies n Blood-related cancers sw.org | December 15 THE CATALYST 5