Lunch & Learn

This month’s call-in program will focus on Multiple Myeloma featuring Dr. Hamza Hassan, Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine, Myeloma and Amyloidosis Division of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the University at Buffalo in New York. He is also the Co-Leader of the Clinical Disease Team of Roswell Park’s Multiple Myeloma division. Dr. Hassan will discuss novel therapeutics, treatment options, cellular therapy, and T-cell engagers. Dr. Hassan will share his expertise, sure to offer hope and more options to those diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Additionally, Nancy LaJoie, a Multiple Myeloma survivor will offer insight, inspiration and coping strategies. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month, Kathryn M. Smolinski, MSW, JD Director, Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic, Associate Clinical Professor, Wayne State University Law School, will focus on what benefits, leave, accommodations and rights you have as you navigate a bone marrow or stem cell transplant and the recovery process. Jennifer Leal, Board Certified Patient Advocate, AML/Stem Cell Transplant Survivor, and Clinical Data Scientist, will share her personal experience and how she advocates to improve health equity for patients needing life-saving therapies. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program.

This month, Maria Rueda-Lara, M.D., Medical Director of Psycho-Oncology at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Medical Director, Consult Behavioral Health Services at University of Miami Hospital (UHT), Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine will share her expertise regarding the many triggers that survivors face post-transplant as well as the fear of relapse. Laura Housley, a long-term thriving survivor will share her personal experiences and how she manages stressful triggers that emerge. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program.

This month, Stacey Prieur, RN, BScN, CHTC, Transplant Coordinator, Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Program at the Karmanos Cancer Center, will focus on many of the moving parts post-transplant—finding your way, redefining relationships with your loved ones, getting back to work and more. Stacey, with decades of experience listening and guiding patients, will help listeners figure out how to thrive and get busy living their new normal. Ann Marie Shay, an AML survivor since Sept. 2021, will also share her recent experience and how she manages and navigates it all. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program. There will be time for live questions.

This month, Sandra N. Gurrola, Financial Counselor, UCLA Health Bowyer Oncology Center will share her expertise regarding financial issues and considerations that surround a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Sandra recently authored a new nbmtLINK book which focuses on all things finance, including insurance, unique costs related to transplant and a vast list of valuable resources. A transplant patient will also share their financial experiences and how they managed and navigated it all. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program. There will be time for live questions.

This month, Dr. Annie Im of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh will focus on how to navigate chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD) and updates on treatment options. As clinical trials and treatments advance, we want to be sure you have everything needed to manage it all and get busy enjoying life. Lew Christie, a two-time AML transplant survivor with an extraordinary story, will share how he gets through the tough days as he manages his GVHD on a daily basis. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will host this program. There will be time for live questions.

This month’s program will focus on caregiver needs before, during and after a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Dawn Speckhart, Ph.D., Clinical Health Psychologist, Cellular Therapy and Leukemia Program for Northside Hospital Cancer Institute will share her expertise, focusing on following instructions, including dietary and caregiver needs. She will also focus on minimizing stress post-transplant by having plans in place, frank communication, knowing when to call and “not sweating the small stuff.” Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK will share many seasoned caregiver tips and tricks conveyed to the LINK. There will also be time for live questions.

This month’s program will focus on nutritional needs led by an experienced professional at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Margaret Martin, RD, MS, LDN, CDCES, Manager, Nutrition Education will share tips and guidance on how to stay healthy and enjoy this special time of the year. Margaret will educate us about a wonderful free LLS one-on-one oncology nutrition consultation phone program through their Nutrition Education Services Center. Husband and caregiver, Dave Crosby, will also share his journey and best tips regarding the holidays and much more. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK, will host this call. There will be time for live questions.

This month’s program will focus on coping with the many emotions one experiences on a cancer journey. Come hear Rebecca Higgins, MSW, CAPSW, Outpatient & Internal Medicine Social Worker at Froedtert Hospital, share her story of resilience through a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis at 19, a relapse, becoming a caregiver for her partner, and how she coped with losses on her journey. She will also share how she advocated for change to create better policies for fellow cancer patients. Jennifer Gillette, LMSW, Staff Social Worker at nbmtLINK, will also speak. She will share ways to get more support and ways to connect with resources that can help you cope. There will be time for questions.

This month’s call-in program will focus on BMT care partners. Michelle M. Bishop, PhD, a licensed psychologist specialized in coping with cancer and caregiving, will talk about what the BMT survivorship road is like for many family caregivers, noting that it can be lengthy, isolating and lonely at times, offering valuable insight and advice. Additionally, Monica Coello, a seasoned professional in international trade and customer relations work, and a cancer survivor herself, will talk of her recent experience as a caregiver to her husband Greg. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month, as we recognize Pediatric Cancer and Blood Cancer Awareness Month, this call-in program will focus on supportive, patient-centered care that focuses on collaboration and innovative ways to serve children (who will undergo a transplant) and their families as well as new treatments which help lower the risk of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). Our speaker, Alix Seif, MD, MPH, is a pediatric oncologist with clinical interests in pediatric leukemia and stem cell transplantation at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Leila Zengel, a parent caregiver, will share her daughter Julie’s transplant experience five years ago, sure to inspire. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this program. There will be plenty of time for live questions.

This month’s call-in program will focus on employment related concerns and considerations while managing the bone marrow/stem cell transplant journey. Nicole Jarvis, LMSW of Cancer and Careers, will highlight how to best approach decisions around work and the evolving employment landscape post COVID. Additionally, Christine Sherman, a survivor, will share her story, challenges, lessons learned and more. Jennifer Gillette, our licensed staff social worker will host this call. There will be plenty of time for live questions.