Coping with cancer can be a daunting experience. Illness and treatment may affect family life, functioning at work or school, financial stability or ability to plan for the future. Persons with cancer and their loved ones may experience periods of sadness or anxiety as they adjust to the ramifications of illness. Communication with family, friends or coworkers can become strained.  Daily responsibilities, such as caring for children or managing the household may become difficult to manage while undergoing treatment. Feeling "in control" may be a challenge.

Oncology social workers are available to help those who are affected by cancer to cope with these concerns.  They provide practical assistance, support and individual, family and group counseling. In addition, they moderate support and educational programs and regularly provide referrals to community resources.

Emory Winship Oncology Social Workers include:

Hilary G. Cohen, LCSW, CTS, DVC (III)
Hilary received a Bachelor of Science from Lehigh University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. Hilary is a licensed clinical social worker and also a Certified Trauma Specialist and Domestic Violence Counselor with more than 12 years' experience in Trauma and emergency room medicine. She also has experience working in mental health care, adult medicine and hospice oncology care. Hilary joined the Emory team with a continued specific interest in adult medicine and oncology research.

Martha Giardina, BSW
Martha Giardina graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Social Work.  Following employment with an adoption agency, Martha came to work at the Emory Clinics where she was a general social worker for Clinic A&B for approximately 10 years. Martha has been a part of the Emory Radiation Oncology Department for 8 years. In her role, she became aware of the needs of oncology patients and found her niche with this population.  Martha has facilitated various support groups and has served on the Planning Committee for the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.  Martha is alert to resources which would benefit individuals diagnosed with cancer as well as their families and caregivers.  She is a member of the Association of Oncology Social Work and the Georgia Social Work Oncology Group.

James Hankins, MSW, LCSW
James Hankins is the Assistant Director of Patient Support and Social Services for the Winship Cancer Institute.  He is a licensed clinical social worker who has focused his career on providing counseling and support services to patients and caregivers coping with medical illnesses.  James came to the Winship Cancer Institute from Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a therapist in private practice and worked as an oncology social worker for the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center.  He is a graduate of Michigan State University and received a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

Jean Rowe, LMSW
Jean graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of South Carolina, completed the National Center for Paralegal Training program in Atlanta and graduated with a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia.  Jean holds a 17-year career as a paralegal and is a licensed master social worker. As part of her masters program, Jeans internships included the Even Start Family Literacy program and a year-long appointment at the Loran Smith Cancer Center for Support in Athens, Georgia.  Jean joined the Winship team in 2005.  She assists brain tumor, breast and melanoma patients.  Jean facilitates groups for melanoma, young women with breast cancer and an expressive, therapeutic writing support group.  She has served as a Guardian ad Litem and has volunteered at Camp-OO-U-La, sponsored by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation for children who are burn survivors.  Jean is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Georgia Social Work Oncology Group and has been active in the Association of Oncology Social Workers. 

Allison Schaffer, LMSW
Allison graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Emory University and with a Master of Social Work from the University of Georgia. Allison is a licensed master social worker and has worked with adolescents and families in diverse settings that include an outdoor therapeutic wilderness program and a residential psychiatric treatment facility. She has found her passion in the oncology setting and has worked in hospital oncology care and community-based oncology support and health promotion. Allison is a board member of the Georgia Social Work Oncology Group and is an active member of the Cancer Survivor Leadership Council of Georgia. Allisons special interests are focused on addressing the psychosocial needs of patients while living with cancer and increasing patient and caregiver education within the healthcare setting.

Rebecca Sizemore, MSW, LCSW
Rebecca received a Bachelor of Science in Family Child Development at Virginia Tech and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She is a licensed clinical social worker and has six years of social work experience in health care settings which include acute care, private for profit and non-profit arenas.  While working in the acute care setting at both the Medical College of Virginia and Emory University Hospital, she became increasingly interested in the oncology population, which allows more long-term relationships with patients and families.  It is through these years of experience and education that Rebecca has found her special interest in working with families and end-of-life care.  At Winship, she works with the Genitourology Urinary, Gastro Intestinal, Sarcoma and Aerodigestive populations.  She enjoys facilitating support groups and connecting with other social workers in the community through memberships in both National Association of Social Workers and the Georgia Social Work Oncology Group.

To contact your team social worker, please call (404) 778-5933.