Moffitt Cancer Center Honored for Innovation in Palliative Care
TAMPA, Fla. – Moffitt Cancer Center is being recognized nationally as an organization that treats the whole patient, not just the disease. The cancer center’s Supportive Care Medicine department has been awarded a Citation of Honor as part of the American Hospital Association’s 2018 Circle of Life Awards ™. The award, now in its 19th year, celebrates programs across the nation that have made great strides in palliative and end-of-life care.
“The Moffitt Supportive Care Medicine program is thrilled to receive national recognition of the innovations and teamwork that support the well-being of Moffitt patients living with cancer,” said Dr. Diane Portman, chair of the Supportive Care Medicine department. “This award highlights our strong collaboration with our oncology colleagues to provide unique services that embed supportive care throughout cancer care.”
At Moffitt, supportive care is included in the clinical care of all patients living with cancer. Supportive care team members — which include physicians, nurses, social workers and chaplains — partner with cancer treatment specialists to help control symptoms and provide patients and their families with compassionate palliative support. The team also has created a specialized vitality clinic to help patients and families experiencing appetite and weight loss challenges.
Moffitt’s Supportive Care Medicine department includes three services that offer personalized care throughout the course of illness and treatment:
- Palliative Medicine — symptom management to improve daily function, comfort, quality of life and team-based discussions about goals of care and care plans
- Behavioral Medicine — medication management, therapy and counseling to help reduce anxiety, depression, sleep problems and other stressors or coping challenges
- Integrative Medicine — complementary therapies, such as mindfulness and meditation techniques, acupuncture, yoga and massage therapy for stress and symptom reduction and relaxation
The department is one of six palliative programs being honored by the American Hospital Association this year. Nominees were reviewed and visited, and the award was given to programs that use innovative and sustainable approaches to meet critical needs; address medical, psychosocial, spiritual and cultural needs throughout care; and actively partner with other health care organizations and educational and training programs.
Members of Moffitt’s supportive care team will receive the award at the AHA Leadership Summit July 26-28 in San Diego, California.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 49 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt is a Top 10 cancer hospital and has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999. Moffitt devotes more than 2 million square feet to research and patient care. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 6,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.1 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
