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Oncology social worker focuses on service The March 2007 theme, “Hope and Health: Help Starts Here,” is the feature for Social Work Month at MUSC and around the country. Social workers in the hospital, ambulatory care clinics, and the Institute of Psychiatry work closely with the medical team to ensure high quality of care for MUSC patients.      Social workers begin with a thorough assessment of the client, situation, and available resources. They possess much experience in locating and negotiating systems so clients get the services they need. All social workers at MUSC hold a master’s degree in social work—a two-year degree with at least 900 hours of supervised field work in established agencies. Each are trained to function in a variety of roles. Further requirements include a minimum of three year’s work experience. Many have much more experience.   Elena Bell, oncology social worker at Hollings Cancer Center (HCC), graduated from Columbia School of Social Work in 1977. Previously, she worked as a legislative analyst, administrator, community organizer, and program developer prior to starting at MUSC in 1985.   At HCC, Bell helps those affected by cancer cope through the entire trajectory of their illness through prediagnosis, diagnosis, treatment, recovery and beyond. She wrestles with all types of questions and comments from patients such as: “How can I pay for  treatment?  I used to be a work horse, now I’m tired all the time. Will I be without hair the rest of my life? This medication costs $1,000 a pill…how can I afford that?”   Bell helps patients find solutions. Often, she is successful, but sometimes available services are lacking. Social workers help the client family understand and adjust to illness. They provide direct service to clients, impart information and make referrals, screen and assess clients, and intervene in crisis situations. They also are involved in advocating for the patient both within the hospital and community. Social workers also work with individuals, families, groups and the community.   Bell runs support groups for those affected by cancer and bereavement support groups. She ran the first telephone support group in South Carolina for leukemia patients. She organizes community conferences and has made numerous presentations on illness, dying and death at professional and lay meetings locally and throughout the state. She is the Southern Unit Board Member of the S.C. National Association of Social Workers and organizes continuing education events for the Lowcountry.   Bell, who has devoted 20 years to this effort, recently was acknowledged for her work by the  S.C. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Partners in Progress  and received the Wilburn Brewer Decade of Service Award.   When she returned to MUSC, information about support groups did not exist. She called a number of places and developed a list of support groups for cancer patients. There was no general group for cancer so she started one. Bell worked with the brain tumor team to start a group for that disease. She also invited other groups to talk about patient issues including sexuality, resources, and coping.   Working with another social worker and a student social worker, Bell started a community bereavement program that continues today. She organized grief conferences for 13 years and trained other professionals to assist those who’ve lost loved ones. Additionally, Bell set up other training for social workers. She organized workshops on spirituality, adoptions, international social work, family systems, and end of life issues. She also serves on the planning committee of the Institute of Psychiatry Annual Social Work Conference.     Friday, March 23, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.