Pratt Center Patient & Family Resources

Mercy St. Louis’ cancer team combines specialists who treat specific cancers and a variety of experts who address your needs during treatment and beyond. This team meets regularly to discuss your care in detail and design your personalized treatment plan.

Comprehensive Cancer Program in St. Louis

Discovering that you or a loved one has cancer can be overwhelming with emotional and physical stress, leaving you feeling lost and unsure. Our support services team is here to support cancer patients and their families every step of the way. This service, available at no cost to cancer patients, provides personalized support.

Pratt Cancer Support Team

Mercy's support team is made up of health care professionals focused on the well-being and quality of life of each patient. They are prepared to walk with patients and families throughout their journey. This team consists of oncology nurse navigators, social workers, physical therapists, lymphedema therapists, integrative medicine providers and dietitians. 

Our oncology nurse navigators work with patients and their families to help coordinate cancer care and support resources. They advocate for patients by helping translate complex medical information into digestible and applicable language while making the overwhelming more manageable.  

Our nurse navigators are trained oncology nurse specialists and will become dedicated members of your care team. They help facilitate personalized, patient-centered care, connecting and advocating for each patient from the time of diagnosis to survivorship. Each nurse navigator will also serve as a resource and information specialist. After assessing patients' individual needs, they will provide:
 

  • Customized resource information
  • Cancer educational materials
  • Connections with social workers, dietitians, chaplains, and integrative medicine
  • Recommendations for Mercy services such as acupuncture, massage, healing touch and oncology rehabilitation
  • Access to local community resources

 

Oncology Nurse Navigators:
 

  • GI cancers: Katie Manaois
  • GU cancers: Alicia Smith
  • GYN cancers: Shannon Vohsen
  • Lung cancer: Dawn Campbell
  • All other cancers: Meghan Carter
     

Breast Cancer Nurse Navigators:
 

  • Erica Bernat
  • Nicole Gurley
  • Marianna Hopkins
  • Amy Mahlin

Before and after treatment, patients may have different nutrition concerns to address, such as weight loss or gain. A clinical registered and licensed dietitian is available to help address these concerns. Dietitian services are free of charge at any point for all Pratt Cancer Center patients. Mercy’s oncology dietitians can provide: 
 

  • Guidance on how to maintain and gain weight as needed for radiation and chemotherapy treatments
  • Healthy eating education for those interested in tweaking diet before, during or after treatment
  • Weight loss education for those looking to lose weight going forward after treatment
  • Therapeutic diet education for cancer patients with diabetes decreased kidney function and swallowing difficulty
  • Diet education for GI-related cancers and related diets, such as a low-fiber diet
  • Information about any nutrition concerns you may have before, during and after treatment

 

Oncology Dietitians:

  • Elizabeth Collins
  • Katie Winzenburger

When a person is diagnosed with cancer there is so much emphasis on the person’s physical well-being: treatments, side effects, doctor’s visits, tests. But we know there are other parts of life affected by cancer: self-image, work, family, friendships, and your approach to living. Oncology social workers understand these complex issues raised by cancer. Our Oncology Social Workers are available to help face-to-face, or on the telephone, free of charge.
 

Mercy’s oncology social workers help patients, families and caregivers deal with the experience of facing cancer. They are educated and skilled to assist with the psychological, social, emotional and spiritual issues that people face with a cancer diagnosis. Social workers are there to help patients with practical needs – such as finding resources within the facility and the community, as well as with such complex needs such as adjusting to an illness, dealing with transitions and decision-making, navigating cultural issues, and communicating with family members, friends, and health care providers. Our social workers meet with patients and family members individually and/or as a family, run support and education groups, and work as part of the oncology care team. 

 

Onoclogy Social Workers:

  • Kerry Kopas
  • Molly Hilsabeck


Listen to Our Cancer Support Team in St. Louis