The Gynecologic Oncology Family Caregiver Advocacy, Research, and Education (CARE) Center at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC is a unique program integrating family caregiver education and support into standard practice in outpatient oncology.
What is the GynOnc Family CARE Center?
Staff in the Family CARE Center educate and support patient’s caregivers to manage the day-to-day demands of living with gynecologic cancers. Through the integration of research and practice, we aim to improve outcomes for patients, their families, and our health care system. The center is staffed in-person and by phone Monday-Thursday by nurses and a psychologist to provide individualized education, support, and connection to resources.
Why is it important?
An informal caregiver is the person who helps their loved one with cancer and is not paid to do so. The caregiver may be the cancer patient’s significant other, family member or close friend, and may or may not live with the person with cancer. Family caregivers take on new roles and responsibilities while also facing the fear and uncertainty of a loved one’s cancer. Trained, supported family caregivers can improve outcomes for patients and better maintain their own health and well-being.
How can you reach us?
By phone: 412-641-5605
By email: carecenter@upmc.edu
Who are we?
- Heidi Donovan, PhD, RN – Co-Founder and Director
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Dr. Donovan (Heidi) is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. After conducting research in symptom management, quality of life and supporting families to cope with the many challenges of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, she wanted to bring the strategies and resources from her research into clinical practice through the Family CARE Center.
- Grace Campbell, PhD, RN – Co-Founder
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Dr. Campbell (Grace) is an assistant professor at Duquesne University School of Nursing. Her research focuses on understanding and intervening on cancer-related disability. Through her work in the Family CARE Center, she helps to support families to maintain the ability to do the important things they want and need to do, while managing a cancer diagnosis.
- Teresa Hagan Thomas, PhD, RN – Co-Founder
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Dr. Thomas is an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. She leads efforts to improve caregiver and family involvement in cancer care. In addition to staffing the Center, she is leading an effort to create a Family Advisory Committee to guide the clinical work, research, and mission of the Family CARE Center.
- Young Ji Lee, PhD, RN – Co-Founder
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- Mary Roberge, BSN, RN – Co-Founder and Volunteer
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- Patty Jo Murray, PhD – Coordinator
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Dr. Murray (Patty Jo) coordinates the everyday functioning of the Family CARE Center and communicates with caregivers to identify their needs and provide individualized education, support, and connection to resources. As a research psychologist and cancer survivor, she understands being diagnosed with cancer is both emotionally and physically challenging. Therefore, she believes caring for the emotional and physical wellbeing of family caregivers is essential to the holistic and compassionate care of their loved ones with cancer.
- Kimm Loughlin, BSN – Care Center Support Services
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Caregiver Guides
The Caregiver Guides are evidence-based informational resources developed for caregivers of patients with gynecologic cancer.
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