​Cancer professionals

At The Christ Hospital Health Network, you are always number one when it comes to your care. To ensure that we meet your medical and personal needs, we surround you with a team of cancer professionals. We never want you to feel confused or isolated, so we're here to help you at every step.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants

At The Christ Hospital, cancer nurse practitioners and physician assistants are part of your care team. They can help you manage symptoms, provide support and advocate for patients and their families, and coordinate care with the rest of the team.

Also, nurse practitioners and physician assistants continually assess the progress of your disease and treatment plan, and monitor your lab results. In some cases, they act as patient navigators, guiding you through your care and treatment. 

Radiation therapists

Radiation therapists manage the delivery of the prescribed treatments to you under the direction of radiation oncologists and according to best practice standards.

• Radiation therapists' duties include:
  

• Reviewing prescription and diagnosis
  

• Acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel
  

• Preparing linear accelerators for treatment, creating immobilization and protection devices
  

• Maintaining records, reports and files of your treatment
  

Physicists and dosimetrists

Physicists and dosimetrists specialize in medical physics and work closely with your radiation oncologist. They ensure that complex treatments are properly tailored for each patient.

Medical physicists direct quality control programs for the use of radiation oncology equipment. A dosimetrist determines radiation dosage plans so that your radiology treatment destroys cancer while sparing healthy tissue.

Cancer staff nurses

Registered nurses working on your cancer team have highly specialized training in medical and radiation oncology. Oncology certification is achieved in order to provide care with the highest level of skill. And, ongoing training by nurse educators ensure they are always on the cutting edge of care.

A nurse will assess you and discuss your concerns during each visit or while your in the hospital. They also collaborate with members of the cancer team to support you through your journey.

Cancer nurse navigators

Cancer can be overwhelming in many ways. There is a good deal of information to understand, and questions you'll want to ask about what to expect. Over weeks and months, you'll be attending appointments and undergoing treatments with your cancer care team.

The Christ Hospital Health Network provides you with the personal support of a nurse navigator. Our nurse navigators will ensure you have confidence in your care, every step of the way.

Our nurse navigators can help you in the following ways:

• Guide you through the hospital system

• Help keep you organized
  

• Ensure support for you and your family 
  

• Make your experience easier and less intimidating
  

• Help with communication or language challenges during treatment
  

• Explain cancer medical treatments
  

• Help you ask questions of your care team

• Breast Health Navigator:  Adrienne Ruehl, RN, 513-585-0608​
  

• Lung Nurse Navigator:  Stephanie Arnold, RN 513-585-0690

• Prostate Cancer Navigator: Amber Michael 513-585​-​3138​ 
  

Cancer (oncology) social workers

It's normal to be shocked when you receive a cancer diagnosis. The news can be so difficult to digest, that you have trouble understanding your prognosis, treatment options or resources. That's why a cancer social worker is part of your cancer care team at The Christ Hospital. 

Cancer care (oncology) social workers can help you and your family with:

• Coping with your diagnosis and emotions
  

• Support for the family and caregivers
  

• Decisions about treatment options, work and family
  

• Employer medical leave and disability assistance
  

• Social Security benefits review and assistance
  

• Information on how and when to enroll for Medicare benefits
  

• Access to medications
  

• Finding help at home, including medical equipment
  

• Transportation and lodging (including the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge)
  

• Advance Directives assistance
  

• Home Health referrals
  

• Palliative care  
  

• Referrals to community resources for support
  

Our social workers:

• Misty Bostic, MSW, LSW, LICDC, 513-585-1609
  

• Aimie Willhoite, MSW, LSW, 513-585-2023
  

Dietitians

Sometimes cancer patients have dietary issues as a side effect of treatment. Our registered dietitians help you manage any eating and drinking needs. They answer questions about appetite loss, weight loss or gain and trouble with chewing or swallowing.

Dietitians help:

• Prevent or correct any nutritional deficiencies

• Minimize the side effects of your treatment

• Enhance your quality of life during treatment

• Improve your ability to tolerate treatment

• Help you reach and stay at your healthiest body weight

• Add healthy eating habits into your daily living

• Create a nutrition plan to lessen the risk of cancer returning after treatment

• Educate your family about your special nutrition needs
  

Genetic counselors

It's the job of a genetic counselor to educate you and your family about inherited cancers and any risk for cancer that may be handed down in your family. Genetic counselors are trained in understanding and explaining the results of genetic testing. They can also assist with observation, treatment decision-making and follow-up care. Genetic counselors help you and your family make informed choices as you adapt to inherited health risks.

Lymphedema therapists

Cancer treatments may cause lymphedema, a condition where fluid collects in the arms or legs and causes swelling (edema), pain and stiffness. Our patients with lymphedema find relief with our certified lymphedema therapists.

Your therapist may use a combination of:

• Direct lymphatic drainage—gentle massage that moves fluid from limbs

• Compression therapy—sleeves or stockings gently squeeze your limbs to drain fluids

• Exercise guidance—light exercises that use your muscles to drain fluid and prepare you for everyday tasks

• Complete decongestive therapy—a plan that combines drainage techniques with lifestyle changes 

Researchers

Our cancer research team is part of The Christ Hospital Lindner Center for Research, a recognized center for outstanding leadership in clinical research. 

If you and your doctors decide to take part in one of our research projects, your researcher will study the effects of any promising new drugs and procedures that become part of your treatment plan.