The Family Care & Support Program at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, NY
Medical crises and extended treatment can be a challenging and quite often disruptive period for the entire family. This period can be lonely for the family member afflicted with an illness, as well as for family members who shoulder responsibility for caring for their loved one. A medical illness can throw a family into disarray, as responsibilities for care and normal family chores are reassigned and reestablished.
RUMC offers patients and their families a care and support program that provides up to three family conferences with a family consultant. During these conferences, families have the opportunity to identify problems relating to and adjusting to the illness, planning for aftercare and making realistic decisions regarding care management and other family responsibilities that are affected by acute and prolonged illness.
Following the conferences, families are contacted by telephone to assess how well they are adjusting. Referrals for individual and/or family therapy are available when clinically indicated. The family’s consultant team maintains contact with the medical oncology staff at all times.
Family Care & Support Team
Each member of our consultation team is professionally licensed in his or her respective disciplines, which include the following professions:
- Marriage and family therapist
- Social worker
Referrals are accepted from the following sources:
- Primary care physicians and surgeons
- RUMC oncology staff
- Self-referrals by patients and their families
Additional Support
- “Healing Team” Weekly meeting for patients and family members interested in group sessions
Information & Appointment Scheduling
- Martin Phillipps, LMFT, RUMC Family Care & Support Coordinator, at 718-317-0745. A Spanish-speaking consultant is also available
Support
- The Richmond University Medical Center Family Care & Support Program is funded by the Staten Island Foundation.
