Huntsman Cancer Institute

"Huntsman Cancer Institute does a really good job of creating community among staff and having resources for us readily available when needed. I am lucky to be apart of such a great team and a hospital that prioritizes its employees as much as their patients." -Tala, ICU Health Unit Coordinator Happy Health Unit Coordinators Week! Our amazing HUCs are essential to keeping things running smoothly at Huntsman Cancer Institute. They help manage many patient details, including admission and communication, work with guests and staff, and support clinicians every day. Thank you for all that you do!

Join us as we sit down with Brin Coombs, a wife, mother of twins, and a patient here at Huntsman Cancer Institute, to hear her story. She and host, Heather Simonsen, explore the challenges Brin has faced with her ovarian cancer diagnosis, the importance of family, and what a future free from cancer means to her. Listen on our website or your favorite podcast platform: https://bit.ly/3X5I61c

"The success that I’ve had is due to the team at Huntsman Cancer Institute. I have been blessed all the way through it, and it’s made it easy for me to keep a good attitude." Meet Ricky! In 2019, he was diagnosed with stage four neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer, a rare form of cancer. His journey brought him to Huntsman Cancer Institute, where he found expert care under Dr. Helosia Soares. Thanks to her team, Ricky continues to enjoy the things he loves most. Read his story: https://bit.ly/3WYc2MZ

Happy National Dog Day! Today we want to say thank you to all the incredible therapy dog teams that spend time with our patients and staff. They bring more than just smiles to our patients and staff. Research shows that animal therapy can help: 🧘♂️ Reduce stress and anxiety 💖 Lower blood pressure 😊 Improve mood and emotional well-being 💬 Encourage social interaction 🩺 Even help with pain management We are so grateful to our friends from Intermountain Therapy Animals for the unique comfort share with us.

Today is the start of Health Unit Coordinators Week! They handle everything from patient admissions and communication to supporting clinicians, patients, and their families. Their hard work keeps things running smoothly every day, and we couldn't do it without them! We are excited to spotlight a few of our incredible Health Unit Coordinators, or HUCs, over the next week. First up is Mary. She works on our new Medical & Surgical Oncology Inpatient Unit. Her favorite thing about being a HUC is that she gets to interact and help patients and their families.

"Men are often socialized not to share their feelings and just do what they need to do. This group challenges that norm, creating a space where it's okay to say, 'I'm in pain, I'm struggling emotionally.'" On Thursday afternoons, a small group of men gather virtually. Some sit and listen. Others open up a little. A few let their emotions flow. These sessions are part of a support group for men grappling with the many side effects—mental, physical, and spiritual—of a cancer diagnosis. We talked to Julio and Sean, the social workers who facilitate the meetings, along with several of the patients who attend. Here's what they had to say: https://bit.ly/3AC95Kv

“What surprised me the most is doing cancer research has taught me the most humility. A place where we embrace failure to learn from, a place where you are learning from world-renowned researchers, yet they never make you feel less than them. For so long I wondered why cancer hasn't been cured yet, but I have learned the work it takes just to get one experiment to work. I have learned that cancer research is not about the findings, but rather the impact it will have.” Nimo Abdi was born in the largest UN Refugee camp in Dabbah, Kenya and moved to the United States when she was just four years old. Now she is a Biomedical Science and Philosophy major at the College of Idaho. For the past two years she has done hands on cancer research as part our PathMaker Program. This summer she worked in the Rutter Lab studying cell metabolism and mitochondria. Her time as a cancer researcher has inspired her to always aim high in everything she does and has shown her the great potential she holds. https://lnkd.in/gs5m-bP

"I really count my successes as ones where I can help that patient live a long, healthy life and keep coming to see me every three to six months." Meet Dr. Erin Ward, a surgical oncologist with a passion for treating gastrointestinal cancer. In this episode of Talks with Docs, she dives into the details of HIPEC surgery, shares what inspired her to work in oncology, and reveals a fun fact that might just surprise you.

“It makes you go from being a patient to being a human." After Ruth Hill was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, she felt hopeless. Through palliative care, she regained control and found hope again. https://bit.ly/3YT58Lo

Patients diagnosed with cancer may need a blood transfusion for many different reasons—surgery, treatment, or the disease itself. Donating blood or platelets saves lives. If you are eligible to donate, please do! ARUP Blood Services is the sole provider of blood products to our patients. You can schedule an appointment by visiting utahblood.org or calling 801-584-5272.