services
emotional and spiritual care
St. Francis believes that treating cancer involves looking after patients' overall well-being, not just their medical
progress. In 1997, St. Francis launched the Emmanuel Program to address patients'
emotional and spiritual needs. Based on the Hebrew word meaning "God with us," the Emmanuel Program is an inter-denominational faith-based ministry, for all
patients and their families, of all religions and beliefs. Each part of the Emmanuel
Program is tailored to patients' own beliefs and desires.
Patients in the Emmanuel Program may participate in spiritual counseling with
the Cancer Center's chaplain, music therapy, and massage therapy. The program
also maintains a chapel,with morning devotional sevices,on the fifth floor for patients, family members and visitors to use at their convenience.
home-based services
St. Francis HomeCare provides specially-trained health care professionals, including nursing staff,
home health aides, medical social workers, and physical, speech and occupational
therapists,to administer prescribed treatment and therapies in the patient's
home. St. Francis HomeCare also offers a Spiritual Care program with chaplains who are available to visit patients at home. Learn more >>
When modern medicine no longer can be a benefit, Open Arms Hospice provides support and comfort in the patient's home, or residential/skilled nursing
facility. Hospice is for those who have a life expectancy of six months or less,
who have a primary caregiver in the home and who no longer are pursuing aggressive
treatment. Open Arms Hospice uses a team concept to provide care and support to patients and their families.
Registered nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, licensed social workers, bereavement
counselors, chaplains, and specially trained volunteers work with the patient
and family to establish the plan of care. Learn more >>
palliative care
Palliative Care at St. Francis is focused on enhancing quality of life for patients and families
through the full course of a chronic, debilitating or serious illness, like cancer, regardless of prognosis.
The focus of Palliative Care at St. Francis is on relief of suffering by identifying
and addressing the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of the patient and
family, as well as guiding them through the disease process and providing information
on what to expect, treatment options, and resources available. Learn more >>
nutritional support
Diet and nutrition play important roles in recovery from cancer treatment. At
the hospital, the clinical nutrition staff, which consists of registered dietitians
and diet technicians, helps ensure oncology patients get the nutrients they need.
The staff caters to patients' tastes whenever possible, often obtaining special
foods to meet special requests.
The Batson Cancer Care Center also has a guest refrigerator where family members can keep food for themselves
and their loved one in the hospital. Guest meal trays are available for visitors
to order for delivery in the patient's room. The hospital cafeteria, located on the basement level, is open during regular meal hours.
Before patients leave the hospital, dietitians counsel family members or support
people about meal planning and preparation based on the patient's needs. This
emphasis
on nutrition as part of cancer therapy contributes to good outcomes once patients
return home.
philanthropic services
Serving as responsible stewards for the financial support coming from the Greenville
community, the St. Francis Foundation raises funds to assist in providing compassionate, quality health care.
Three Foundation endowments are earmarked for cancer programs:
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The Louis P. Batson, Jr. Cancer Care Endowment provides funds for continuing education for clinical staff, library materials and family and patient support programs.
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The Jack D. Parker, M.D. Endowment funds community education and awareness activities. This endowment also funds community bone marrow drives and other cancer awareness programs.
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The Bone Marrow Transplant Patient and Family Endowment provides items and services of value for BMT patients and their families the "extras" to help patients and families have as comfortable experiences as possible. For example, the fund provides laptop computers in the BMT rooms so that isolated patients can access the Internet and maintain e-mail contact with family, friends and business associates.
community outreach
St. Francis' focus on healing individuals is complemented by educational programs aimed at the community. Through health screenings and special events, the hospital
provides information about cancer prevention and early detection.
St. Francis supports breast-cancer-related educational programs including breast cancer awareness programs. The hospital also teams with local health partners to provide free screenings
for skin cancer and other diseases.
