Susan Swift Sharcot, L CSW-R, ACSW, OSW-C
Acting Manager of Social Work

The Division of Social Work at Roswell Park is often the first point of contact for information and linkage to community resources and is committed to ensuring comprehensive continuity of care. The division assumes responsibility for managing and coordinating re­sources and non-medical support services to ease the impact of a cancer diagnosis, and the transition from hospital to home, and to ensure that patients are provided with emotional support as they face a life threatening diagnosis.

The services offered by the division are available to all patients and families. Inpatients are assessed by the social work staff, and provided with a packet with information outlining programs available to help them cope with cancer diagnosis and treatment. A social worker and is assigned to each clinical service to assure the best possible care.

The Division of Social Work is a multidisciplinary unit consisting of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Master Social Workers, Baccalaureate prepared Social Workers, Child Life Specialist and Social Work Assistants. A team approach, including the patient’s physician and staff from Nursing, Social Work, Case Management, Pharmacy, Psychology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Nutrition, and Pastoral Care is used to assess a patient’s post-hospital care needs. It is important to recognize that the patient and family are primary decision makers in establishing care plans.

The objective of the team is to promote optimal post-hospitalization recovery care.

General Information:

Social Work Assistants: - Social Work assistants are able to provide basic information regarding community resources, (e.g. American Cancer Society, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Social Security Disability, etc.). They are also available to assist patients and families with lodging arrangements and information on transportation.

Licensed Clinical/Medical Social Workers - Social Workers are professionally trained counselors who offer emotional support to the patient, families and significant others. LCSW/LMSW staff offer the following services: psychosocial assessment, counseling, distress management, assess for barriers to adherence to treatment plan and provide intervention to remove these, assist the patient, family/significant other with acceptance of diagnosis and need for life-style adjustments and assist other staff members to identify and work within the social, emotional and economic factors related to the patient’s health situation.

Social Work staff are also knowledgeable about a wide range of community resources and can make referrals to assist clients in need of assistance accessing community resources, legal assistance, counseling, health care proxies, and information to empower decision making.

Baccalaureate prepared Social Work Staff (BSW) provide consultation and information and referral to a wife variety of community resources designed to address legal, financial and practical needs. Social Work staff also assist patients and families in making the transition from the hospital to other levels of care including skilled nursing facilities, sub-acute, rehabilitation, assisted living or long term care.

Child Life Specialist - The Child Life Specialist provides activities and services to meet the psychosocial, emotional and developmental needs of pediatric patients and families. Provides consultation and services to children of adult patients upon referral.

The Division office is located on the ground floor, Room G552 and is open between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Social Work can be contacted after hours in an emergency through the Institute operator. Available services depend on available community resources and payment sources and are limited in scope.

We can help with the following services:

• Advance Directives and Living Wills
• Advocacy Resources
• Care Options
• Caregiver Resources
• Community Resources
• Communication with Family & the Medical Team
• Coping and Emotional Support
• Counseling Services
• Decision Making
• Disability Information
• Educational Materials
• Employment Rights and Tips
• Financial Assistance Resources
• Health Care Proxies
• Health Insurance Resources
• Hospice and Palliative Care
• Intimacy Issues
• Legal Concerns
• Local Lodging During Treatment
• Palliative Care
• Parenting Concerns
• Social Security Information
• Treatment Concerns
• Transportation Resources During Treatment
• Wish-Granting Organization Information

Call us at: 716-845-8022 or visit the office on the ground floor of the hospital (G552). Consultations are free and confidential.