Finding Strength in the Cancer Community: Thyme Care's Social Work Program for Patients in New Jersey
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The Science Times
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Summary:
Cancer care is increasingly complex, and Thyme Care's dedicated team of nurses, social workers, and care partners is helping residents navigate both the clinical and emotional challenges that come with a diagnosis. With New Jersey among the states with the highest cancer rates in the country, the need for coordinated, compassionate support has never been greater — and Thyme Care is stepping in to meet it.
Preview of article:
As cancer rates rise and care grows more complex, Thyme Care's social work team helps New Jersey residents manage the emotional and practical challenges that shape the cancer journey.
When someone in New Jersey receives a cancer diagnosis, the first questions they ask rarely match the ones that come next. Treatment planning, insurance approvals, appointment schedules, and daily life concerns can collide quickly. For many families, the shock of a diagnosis is followed by the pressure of managing work, transportation, household needs, and the emotional toll of uncertainty.
New Jersey has consistently had one of the highest cancer incidence rates in the nation for many years. That reality has created an urgent need for coordinated support systems that address both clinical and practical barriers to care.
Thyme Care, a national oncology support organization, is working to fill those gaps. The company pairs cancer-trained nurses, social workers, and care partners with members to help them navigate symptoms, appointments, insurance issues, resource access, and emotional needs. The goal is to ensure people receive timely, high-quality care while feeling supported every step of the way.
A Social Work Program Built for Real-Life Challenges
For many oncology patients, the hardest part of treatment is not always the chemotherapy or radiation but the day-to-day strain that can disrupt care. That reality guides the work of Stephanie Broussard, DSW, LCSW-S, APHSW-C, Director of Social Work at Thyme Care.
"My role is to help our organization understand and support the parts of a person's life that matter most outside of their physical diagnosis," Broussard said.
Her team supports people with emotional distress, financial strain, food or housing instability, transportation barriers, caregiver stress, and the psychological impact of living with a serious illness. These needs often become more visible in states like New Jersey, where a high cost of living and transit can heighten strains on families already navigating cancer.
Broussard sees her team's work as an essential part of the care plan, not an add-on. "Research shows patients have better outcomes when they have access to social work. It should not be optional," she said.