To help you achieve your treatment goals, you’ll benefit from the help of our UHS oncology nurse navigators. Nurse navigators guide patients from diagnosis to post-treatment by providing care coordination and educational materials regarding your diagnosis and treatment plan. They also take notes during appointments for you to look back on later and advocate to providers on your behalf. They can answer questions you have about your cancer treatment and put you in touch with any additional services you may need throughout treatment.

Oncology Nurse Navigators

Amber Funnell, RN 

Julia Mack, BSN, RN, CBCN

Mary Mancini, BSN, RN

Leann Terpstra, BSN, RN

To provide additional support throughout your treatment, social work services are available to patients, families, and caregivers. Social workers provide emotional support and counseling to help you cope with the physical and emotional changes resulting from treatment. They also help connect patients to community resources and help to resolve practical needs such as financial concerns in order to address barriers to treatment. 

In the event of a terminal cancer diagnosis, your oncology social worker can help you in identifying your treatment goals and refer you to services provided by UHS Palliative Medicine.

Oncology Social Workers

Miranda Benardes, LMSW, MPA

Jessica Davidson, LMSW

Kathleen Stevens, LMSW

Clinical Oncology Social Worker

Katrina Mallery, LCSW, OSW-C

Nutrition services are available to all oncology patients. Our clinical dietitian, a board certified specialist in oncology nutrition, can help you manage side effects and symptoms of treatment including poor appetite, taste changes, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting, bowel issues, weight loss or gain, high blood sugar, and much more.

Registered Dietitian

Rebecca Robins, MSL, RD, CDN, CSO, FAND

Our oncology social workers can connect you, your family, and your caregivers to support groups that offer additional emotional support and mutual aid both during and post-treatment. Support groups may be in person locally or virtual. Talk to your social worker if you are interested in attending a support group. Social workers can also refer you to credible online resources for additional information and services.

Below are links to trusted resources.

American Cancer Society (ACS) works to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. Visit cancer.org to learn more.

CancerCare is the leading national organization dedicated to providing free, professional support services including resource navigation, counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications and financial assistance to anyone affected by cancer. Visit cancercare.org to learn more.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. Visit cancer.gov to learn more.

Find exceptional cancer support services throughout UHS in New York’s Southern Tier. Services and groups may vary by location. Your provider will refer you to the location that best suits your needs. Ask your provider how you can receive social work, nutrition, and nurse navigation services.