The Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center provides hope for all who hear the words, “You have cancer.” All non-medical services offered by the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center are free to ALL patients and their families regardless of where they receive their direct medical care. From diagnosis to survivorship, patients may come to the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center for the following services:
Click here to read about how Del and Carolyn Ballard decided to strike back after facing a cancer diagnosis.
If you or a loved one is feeling confused about a cancer diagnosis, or have questions about how to better understand your risk factors, contact the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center at 817.922.2223 to have our experienced care team help guide you as you navigate your healthcare journey.
The nurse navigator is the cornerstone of the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center. Nurse navigators partner with patients and families during the course of diagnosis, treatment and healing by becoming an advocate, guide and facilitator. Because the treatment of cancer requires the interaction of multiple specialties, the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center provides a coordinated, integrated and compassionate approach to each patient’s treatment.
Click here to read about Colleen's experience with navigating her cancer diagnosis.
Named one of Dallas-Fort Worth’s Great 100 Nurses, Lauren Break, joined the staff of the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center to work as the Center’s designated head and neck oncology nurse navigator.
The young mother of two has been a nurse at Baylor Scott & White – Fort Worth for six years on the Progressive Care Unit (PCU). While in PCU, Lauren learned she has a passion for the head and neck population. She shared there is an enormous amount of education that goes on when patients are learning about medical equipment, such as a feeding tube or an airway, that is part of their new ‘normal.’ “This equipment is now a part of who they are, so I love helping them to learn how to use everything, be comfortable and thrive.”
Thanks to generous contributions to the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center, we were able to establish our new Animal Assisted Therapy Program that enhances therapies, promotes patient participation, and alleviates stress, anxiety, and pain.
Our first facility dog, Engle, has officially arrived and is working to acclimate to the hospital. She was trained by Canine Companions for Independence. She began working as a facility dog with her full-time handler Kathryn Omarkhail in October 2023. Kathryn has been a part of the Baylor Scott & White family for over 20 years. Together they work diligently every day supporting the needs of our patients and their families.
According to the American Cancer Society, patients interacting with therapy dogs experience lower levels of stress and improvement in mood. Animals reduce anxiety, depression, fatigue, and panic attacks, commonly experienced by cancer patients.
Canine Companions facility dogs are expertly trained in more than 40 commands, including turning on/off light switches, opening doors, pulling wheelchairs, picking up items and even playing card games.
Over the course of one day, Engle and Kathryn walk about three miles while making their rounds seeing patients. It is estimated that within the next year, the two will make nearly 5,000 patient and family visits in the intensive care unit and surgery areas. They will also have approximately 1,900 individual sessions to provide therapeutic services according to each patient's needs.
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Click the link below to be directed to the donation page where you can make a tax-deductible donation to support the work of the Joan Katz Cancer Resource Center. Partner with us to ensure that no one has to face cancer alone.
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