Patient Support

We understand that patients and families living with brain tumors face a unique and set of challenges that go beyond the treatment of the physical tumor.

We offer a support team that assesses and treats various problems, including changes in memory, speech, personality or emotions. The team also helps with related difficulties, such as re-entering the job force, school issues, disability, health-insurance concerns or psychological distress.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychologists evaluate patients for behavioral changes caused by brain tumor growth and treatment, and provide counseling to patients and families as they learn to cope with these developments. Some of the changes patients may experience include difficulties with speech, memory, communication, and impulse control.

An initial evaluation may be conducted at the beginning of a patient’s treatment so that later changes can be compared and interpreted using the initial results as a starting point.

During the evaluation, patients are asked to perform a number of tasks that test problem-solving ability, attention, memory, language and motor skills. Neuropsychologists can also help patients learn to compensate for their disabilities by developing “work-around” strategies.

Our neuropsychologists also offer counseling for patients and families as they cope with the social changes associated with brain tumors, including role changes within the family, changes in the level of patient independence and financial stressors.

Kathleen Fuchs and Carol Manning are neuropsychologists with the Department of Neuro-Oncology.

Contact information:
Kathleen Fuchs, Ph.D.
Email: klf2n@virginia.edu

Carol Manning, Ph.D.
Email: cm4r@virginia.edu

Phone: 434.982.4363
Fax: 434.982.1996

Chaplaincy

Interfaith chaplains are on-call 24 hours a day to provide support. Get more information.

Social Work

Social workers are available 7 days a week, 8:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Anne Marie Clemente is the dedicated social worker and licensed counselor for the Neuro-Oncology Program.

Contact information:
Anne Marie Clemente, LCSW
Phone: 434.924.2717
Email: ac6f@virginia.edu