Social Work
Helping you overcome obstacles to care
Barriers like lack of transportation, housing, food insecurity or insurance issues can create hurdles during your cancer treatment.
Our dedicated social workers are integrated into your cancer care team, helping to connect you with the resources you need so you can focus on healing.
Ways Social Work can help you during cancer treatment
Emotional and Mental Health Support
Facing cancer can naturally bring emotions of fear, stress, sadness, or uncertainty. These feelings are natural—and our social workers with Riverside Cancer Care Network are trained to help you manage them.
Practical Support and Resource Navigation
Cancer often brings unexpected practical challenges. Our social worker can connect you to resources to help you navigate:
Financial concerns
Financial assistance programs, insurance issues, social security benefits
Daily living needs
Transportation to medical appointments, food insecurity, home health services
Housing concerns and employment questions
Housing concerns, workplace accommodations, employment issues
Legal and benefit questions
Legal issues, social services, insurance advocacy
Support with Health Care Decision Directives
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by medical information and decisions. Our social workers help you to understand what an advance directive is and answer any questions you may have so you may complete yours.
This legal document containing your medical care wishes becomes effective only if you become unable to speak for yourself. Click here learn more about Advanced Directives.
Understanding and Managing Distress
Distress is the emotional, social, or practical strain that can affect anyone with cancer. While it’s understandable to feel this way it can affect your ability to cope with treatment.
Our social workers use distress screening tools to check in with how you’re feeling and functioning. When distress is identified, they help manage it by:
- Connecting you with counseling, chaplain services, or support groups
- Offering resources to reduce stress and improve daily life
Managing distress isn’t just about feeling better—it can help improve your treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Social Work supports you across your cancer journey
At Diagnosis
Social Work offers immediate emotional support and can help connect you with resources you may need prior to starting treatment.
During Treatment
As you undergo treatment, Social Work monitors for distress, helps manage challenges, and keeps your care coordinated, so you can focus on healing.
After Treatment
Social Work assists you with adjusting to survivorship and long-term recovery needs.
Meet our Social Work team
Xaviera Evans, Medical Social Worker | Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach
757-436-2995
Julie Kilburn, Social Worker | Peninsula
757-534-5581
Leigh Ann Klipper, Social Worker Care Coordinator | Eastern Shore
757-302-2600