Personalized, Holistic Health Care at MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care
Patients at MaineGeneral’s Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC) have a dedicated person to support their needs beyond medical treatment. Holistic Health Care Coordinator Heather Moore relishes the role she plays in providing key information and services to patients, as she knows firsthand the difference such assistance can make.
“I help patients connect with services within the cancer center when they are here and also connect them with community services as needed, as well as provide support to survivors,” Heather says.
Common issues Heather helps address include:
- SSDI/SSI assistance
- Providing support group information
- Wig consultations
- Questions about services at the HACCC and in the community
- Connecting with internal and external resources
- Prosthetics and other related equipment
- Food insecurity
- Complex care cases
- Patient classes and activities
Heather’s own journey at MaineGeneral began 18 years ago as a care manager. She worked with a variety of patients and families in the inpatient setting and even helped coordinate transportation of inpatients from Waterville to the Alfond Center for Health when the new hospital opened in 2013.
She found ways outside of work to help meet the needs of area patients, raising money for breast cancer services, research and patients. Heather estimates she brought in more than $30,000 over the years. She was all too familiar with the impact of breast cancer when her sister was diagnosed in 2000.
Cancer became even more personal when Heather was diagnosed in 2021 with a very aggressive form of breast cancer (Triple Positive), which required her to undergo 1-½ years of aggressive treatments of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. An upbeat, positive person, Heather admits there were days that weakened her body and spirit.
“I became very weak between chemotherapy treatments and needed electrolytes, fluids and transfusions,” she says, “and sometimes I felt worn down emotionally.”
Heather successfully finished treatments in April 2022. As she thought about her experiences, she found herself compelled to approach HACCC leadership.
“I thought they could use me here,” she says. “I could be useful. After my own cancer experience, with the knowledge I have as a health care worker, and being the caregiver for my sister during her journey, I knew I could help. Improvements could be made.”
Heather approached Oncology Services Administrative Director Deb Bowden, who immediately envisioned Heather’s role aligning services around all the questions and concerns that come with cancer beyond treatments.
“Cancer impacts every part of a patient’s life including the financial, mental and emotional aspects. In addition, it impacts families. Patients may be here for treatment and have questions about how to get a wig or prosthetics. They may not know how to fill out paperwork for assistance programs, or how to access community resources. I can help them in the moment, and that’s a relief to them.”
Heather says her door is always open. She has continued to build relationships with community resources and other MaineGeneral resources, like the Community Health Workers, that provide various wrap-around services and support for patients.
She envisions adding more services, support groups and activities that meet patients where they are, recognizing that every person is different and that patient needs evolve.
That is why she’s excited about the expansion of the HACCC, which is on schedule to be completed in late 2025. Heather is planning more services and support for patients.
“I’m listening to their concerns and suggestions, and I’m excited about growing our services. It’s a privilege to be able to help our cancer patients.”
Learn more about holistic services at the HACCC.
You also can watch a video story by NewsCenter Maine about the in-person breast cancer support group Heather manages.
