Sections
Palliative & Supportive Care
The Palliative and Supportive Care section improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing a life-threatening illness through:
- The prevention and relief of suffering
- Early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial and spiritual problems
Integrative Medicine Program
The Integrative Medicine Program engages patients and their families to become active participants in improving their physical, psycho-spiritual and social health. The ultimate goals are to optimize health, quality of life and clinical outcomes through personalized evidence-based clinical care, exceptional research and education.
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) is a medical specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of disorders associated with disability, such as cancer. Our specialists provide assessment and treatment of cancer-related loss of function, pre-treatment and pre-surgery rehabilitation and conditioning, as well as conservative management of musculoskeletal pain and spasticity management.
Our goal is to restore optimal patient functioning in multiple life dimensions, including medical, social, emotional and vocational.
Where are PMR services offered at MD Anderson?
- Outpatient: The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center provides outpatient PMR services on Floor 1 of the Main Building (R1.2000), the entrance is located outside the main hospital.
- Inpatient Consultation Team: A consultation team assesses inpatients throughout the institution for appropriateness and need for rehabilitation services, assistance with discharge planning and determining the appropriate level of care that's within the patient and family's resources.
- Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit: The acute inpatient rehabilitation unit is located on Floor 8 of the Main Building (P8 in the Lutheran Pavilion). Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services are provided to appropriate patients with issues of decreased function, decreased safety for discharge home, and the need for concurrent medical care.
Clinical Faculty
- , Professor and Section Chief
- , Professor
- , Professor
- , Associate Professor
- , Associate Professor
- , Associate Professor, Fellowship Director
- , Assistant Professor
- Josephine Bianty, RN, Nurse Navigator
- Araceli Flores, AAS, BSN, MSN, RN, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Kristie Lawrence, BSN, MSN, RN, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
- Jisha Thomas, MSN, RN, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Supportive Care Psychology
Support and Counseling for Patients and their Families
Supportive Care Psychology is a specialty-focused service housed in the section of Supportive and Palliative Care. The psychology team works collaboratively with the supportive care medical team to address symptom management, which extends beyond the physical burdens to address the natural mental and emotional pain that often coexists with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Our specialists provide assessment and treatment of cancer-related distress, including adjustment to the diagnosis, managing and coping with symptoms and treatment, navigating the impact of cancer on the family, and addressing anticipatory bereavement and grief, as well as end-of- life.
We also offer a specialized service, ECHOS (Ensuring Children Have Optimal Support) for addressing children’s coping and assisting their loved ones in communicating health and end-of- life issues to all ages stemming from the very young to late adolescence.
Support For Children Affected by Cancer
Our licensed counselors can help patients with children of all ages by:
- Talking with children about your illness and what might happen.
- Addressing your concerns about how children may cope with your illness.
Ask your Supportive Care team about our Ensuring Children Have Optimal Support (ECHOS) Program.
Where are Supportive Care Psychology Services offered at MD Anderson?
- Outpatient: Supportive Care Psychology services are offered through the outpatient Supportive Care Center located on the 11th floor in the Main Building. Patients will first see a member of our medical team who will make a referral to our service if requested or needed. Services are offered in person and virtually.
- Inpatient: Supportive Care Psychology services are also offered to admitted inpatients through the institution. Patients must first see a member of our Supportive Care medical team who will make a referral to our service if requested or needed.
- Acute Palliative and Supportive Care Unit (APSCU): A member of the Supportive Care Psychology team is a part of the Interdisciplinary Team on the APSCU. Every patient and family member on this unit will have access to our service during their stay.
Clinical faculty and Staff
Thomas A. Hernandez Jr., MS, LPC, Supervisor, Counseling
Brittany Bowell, MEd, LPC, Senior Counselor
Victoria Necroto, MS, LPC, Senior Counselor, ECHOS Program
Shelley Smith, MA, LPC, Senior Counselor
Angelica Torres, MS, LPC, LCDC, Senior Counselor
Ana L. Grant, MEd, LPC, Senior Counselor
Brittany Cullen, Administrative Coordinator