Your Transplant Physicians
The Fairfax Stem Cell Transplant Program is committed to your health care needs. Our goal is to make this experience as comfortable for you as possible, so please do not hesitate in contacting us at any time, regardless of where you are on your path to survivorship.
Primary Oncologist
Your primary oncologist has been caring for you and has referred you to the Transplant Program and will continue to follow your progress, even if he/she is not directly involved in your care.
Transplant Physician
The transplant physician closely monitors all aspects of your care, including any instances where you have to be hospitalized. Your transplant physician may or may not be the oncologist who has been treating your cancer up until this point. If not, your transplant physician will keep your primary oncologist informed of your progress.
Surgeon
Your transplant physician may ask a surgeon to insert a special catheter for apheresis or use during your treatment.
Transplant Nurse Coordinators & Nurses
The transplant nurse coordinators and nurses are your primary resource and work with other team members, including your caregiver, making sure your treatment is planned, scheduled, and carried out. They provide education about properly caring for yourself during this process. These inpatient and outpatient nurses have special training and experience in stem cell transplantation.
Benefit Specialist
The benefit specialist works with patients, caregivers, and insurance providers or medical plan representatives to help patients obtain reimbursement for the costs related to transplantation. The benefit specialist will help you understand the cost and reimbursement for your care before treatment begins.
Office Coordinator
The office coordinator schedules the dates and times of your appointments and tests. He/she also helps coordinate the activities of the transplant clinic. Call the office coordinator for any scheduling questions.
Laboratory Staff
The laboratory staff ensures that the proper tests are performed at the proper times and the results are communicated. Laboratory personnel are also involved with the collection, processing, storage, and thawing of your stem cells.
Apheresis Specialist
These are nurses or technicians who operate the apheresis machine which collects your stem cells. They are specially trained in this procedure and know how to take care of you while you are connected to the apheresis machine.
Social Workers
A medical social worker (MSW) is often available to you and your family to help with the feelings you may have as you go through transplant. Your MSW can also help with practical matters such as transportation, housing, disability, and financial concerns, and finding spiritual support.