Finding strength in the cancer community: Thyme Care’s social work support for patients in New York
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The Daily Record
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Summary:
New York is home to world-class cancer care — but even the most advanced treatment centers can't fully address what happens outside the clinic. For patients navigating cancer in New York, emotional distress, financial pressure, transportation challenges, and caregiver strain are common realities that can quietly derail treatment adherence and quality of life.
Oncology social work exists to bridge that gap. At Thyme Care, licensed social workers are embedded directly into the cancer care model, using proactive distress screening and structured follow-up to identify and address emotional and practical barriers before they become crises. Led by Director of Social Work Stephanie Broussard, DSW, LCSW-S, APHSW-C, the team supports not just patients but the families and caregivers who sustain them throughout the treatment journey. Because in cancer care, the clinical plan is only part of the picture — and no one should have to navigate the rest alone.
Preview of article:
As more New Yorkers navigate cancer treatment, oncology social work is helping patients and families manage their emotional health, practical barriers, distress, and daily needs throughout the treatment journey.
New York is home to some of the nation’s most advanced cancer care, with multiple National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers and large academic health systems delivering highly specialized treatment. Yet even in these settings, many of the challenges people face during cancer treatment unfold outside exam rooms and infusion suites.
Emotional distress, financial pressure, transportation difficulties, and caregiver strain are common during treatment and can interfere with appointments, symptom management, and adherence to care plans. National cancer organizations have long documented these pressures, noting that they persist even in regions with extensive health care infrastructure.
That gap is where oncology social work plays a critical role. At Thyme Care, social workers are embedded in a virtual cancer care model that supports patients in New York by addressing emotional health, practical barriers, and family needs alongside clinical care.
Why distress often goes unnoticed during treatment
Many people undergoing cancer treatment hesitate to speak up about stress or daily challenges. Some assume what they are experiencing is expected. Others worry about burdening their care team or diverting attention from medical concerns.
“Cancer often worsens whatever challenges already existed—family conflict, financial instability, or mental health needs. Even well-adjusted people become anxious when they can’t meet basic needs,” said Stephanie Broussard, Director of Social Work at Thyme Care.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends routine distress screening, noting that unmanaged anxiety and depression can affect quality of life and engagement in care. The National Cancer Institute has also described how financial and emotional strain can contribute to delayed or interrupted treatment.
Identifying distress, however, is only the first step. Without follow-up and practical support, screening alone does little to change outcomes.
What oncology social work actually provides
Oncology social workers are clinically trained professionals, typically holding master’s degrees and additional certifications. Their work includes counseling, care coordination, and problem-solving around barriers that make treatment harder.
At Thyme Care, social work is paired with proactive screening and structured follow-up, rather than relying on patients to ask for help.
“Early social work involvement may support better emotional adjustment for some patients, lower distress, more consistent treatment adherence, fewer avoidable ED visits, and improved outcomes for both patients and families,” Broussard said. “We attempt to address what’s happening emotionally and practically before it becomes a crisis.”
This approach aligns with published research showing that early symptom monitoring and timely intervention during cancer treatment can reduce emergency department use and improve patient experience.
In practice, social work support may include helping navigate insurance, arranging transportation, coordinating community resources, or supporting conversations within families about care needs.
Families are part of the care equation
Cancer affects more than the person receiving treatment. Family members and caregivers often take on scheduling, paperwork, and emotional support, frequently while managing work and other responsibilities.
“Cancer doesn’t just happen to the patient; it happens to the family,” Broussard said.
Research summarized by the National Cancer Institute shows that caregivers experience elevated levels of stress and anxiety, yet their needs are often overlooked in routine care. Oncology social workers are trained to assess caregiver strain and connect families with support early in the treatment journey.
Supporting caregivers can stabilize care at home, which helps patients remain engaged and supported throughout treatment.
What patients in New York should know
For people undergoing cancer treatment in New York, social work support can serve as a bridge between medical care and daily life. Patients and families may want to ask:
● Is emotional distress screened regularly during treatment?
● Who follows up if emotional or practical needs are identified?
● Are caregivers included in support conversations?
Effective social work support often operates quietly. When it is in place, fewer problems escalate, and patients feel less alone navigating care.