Support Groups

Members of the Gastrointestinal Support Group share information about issues related to gastrointestinal cancers that include colorectal, esophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancers. Friends and family members are welcome.

Directions

Meeting Time:

Thank you for your interest. We are currently revising the meeting schedule for this group. Stay tuned for updated information. 

Location:
UMass Memorial Medical Center - Ambulatory Care Center, 6th Floor Healing Garden (behind elevators)
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655

UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center offers two support groups for patients living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), along with their parents and siblings. IBD is a chronic illness affecting the digestive system. Symptoms of the disease can be especially challenging for children and their families, leading to children with IBD being at a higher risk of developing psychosocial issues. Our groups are supported by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and are led by health care professionals from the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology. In addition to offering moral support from peers and caregivers, our IBD support groups participate in healthy cooking classes and discussions on transitioning to college, fundraisers, and volunteer efforts.

Support groups are held:

First Thursday of every month
5 pm
Tri-River Family Health Center
281 East Hartford Avenue
Uxbridge, MA 01569

Third Thursday of every month
6:30 pm
UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus
Benedict Building – Stress Reduction Room, 2nd Floor
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655

 

 

Meeting Time:
Location:
Tri-River Family Health Center, 281 East Hartford Avenue, Uxbridge, MA
UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, 55 Lake Avenue North,
Worcester, MA 01655
Call:

Lisa Fournier: 508-395-2278
Kathleen Merrill, RN: 774-441-7806

A mind/body medicine group that meets once weekly for an hour and a half to practice complimentary care therapies including tai chi, restorative yoga, guided imagery and deep breathing exercises. Patients, family members and friends, cancer center staff as well as interested medical students are welcome.

Directions

Meeting Time:

Thank you for your interest. We are currently revising the meeting schedule for this group. Stay tuned for updated information. 

Location:
UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, Ambulatory Care Center – 5th floor, behind the elevators
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655

We are excited to resume the “Pre- and Post-Kidney Transplant Education & Support Group.” The group will be held virtually for the time being. 

Groups will be held on the second Wednesday of each month, from 3 to 4 pm. If you would like to join us, please print this page, fill out the form and leave it at the front desk in the Transplant Clinic. 

We will send email invitations for Zoom or provide a call-in number for those who prefer to join by phone. You may also call me directly to register. We hope to see you at the group! Please contact Rose Quigley, MSW, LICSW, Transplant Social Worker at  Rose.Quigley@UMassmemorial.org with any questions.

Name: _____________________________________________________

Email Address: _________________Telephone: ___________________

January 11, 2023:  Living Donation - Ellen Wells, MSW, LICSW, CTSW/Cathleen Dunn, RN, BSN/Kristen Shippee, CNP

February 08, 2023: Pre-Transplant/Evaluation/Waiting List - Linda Shelton, RN, BSN, CCTC/Jodi Lane, MS, RN, CCTC

March 08, 2023: Post-Transplant Life - Tammy Lovewell, RN, BSN, CCTC

April 12, 2023: NE Donor Services - Kristin Ross/Aftercare Specialists

May 10, 2023: Infectious Disease/COVID, etc. - Jennifer Daly, MD/Alina Adeel, MD

June 14, 2023: Transplant Surgery - Justin Belin, MD/Babak Movahedi, MD

July – Time to rest

August 09, 2023: Financial Coordinators: Insurance Information - Mary Lambert/Tracy Vincequere 

September 13, 2023: Patient Panel - Common Elements of the Journey

October 11, 2023: Pharmacy/Medication Overview - Melissa Racine, MS, RN

November 08, 2023: Ethics in Medical Care - Anne Winslow, MPH, HE-C- Ethicist

Meeting Time:
Location:
online
Worcester, MA 01605

An Educational and Supportive Group for patients and caregivers.

1st Thursday of the Month, 3 to 4 pm

All groups will be virtual via WebEx

Scheduled Dates

  • January 2023 – NO GROUP, Winter Break
     
  • February 2, 2023 – “Current trends in treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma”, Navine Nasser-Ghodsi, MD, transplant hepatologist
     
  • March 2, 2023 - “Treatment for addiction” – John Monfredo, LICSW, Addiction Specialist
     
  • April 6, 2023 – Donate Life Month!  “Communicating with your donor family and volunteer opportunities”, Kristin Ross, New England Donor Services
     
  • May 4, 2023 – “Life on the transplant list”, Jackie Caron, RN, BSN and Kimberly Pagnoni, RN, BSN
     
  • June 1, 2023 – “Post-Transplant Medications, Tips for staying compliant”, Melissa Racine, RN, BSN
     
  • July 2023 – NO GROUP, Summer Break
     
  • August 3, 2023 – topic to be determined
     
  • September 7, 2023 – “The first few days after liver transplant, what to expect”, Cara Bertoni, NP and Rachel Gora, NP
     
  • October 5, 2023 – “Mental Health and Wellness”, Ellen Wells, LICSW, CCTSW
     
  • November 2, 2023 – “Transplant Nutrition”, Michelle Rightmyer, RD, LDN, CCTD Transplant Dietician
     
  • December 7, 2023 - topic to be determined

***Remember to mute when not speaking***

***Remember to respect patient confidentiality during and after group***

If you would like to join, please call the transplant office at 508-334-1269 to provide your email address so that a WebEx link can be sent to you. You can also email your email address to:  doris.tripp@umassmemorial.org.

Meeting Time:
Location:
Online
Worcester, MA 01605

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