Nursing & Patient Care
Staff Profiles
Bruce MacDonald, LICSW
Bruce MacDonald, LICSW (center)
"When a person is diagnosed with cancer, inevitably it's a disorienting experience," says Bruce MacDonald, LICSW. "Nothing in life can prepare someone for that moment."
It's at moments like this that MacDonald and his social work colleagues are often called in. MacDonald meets with the patient and family, assessing their needs and helping them process information. He also works with them to develop a plan for next steps and to identify supports they might need.
"Our primary role is to provide counseling," says MacDonald. "Often we get involved at a moment of transition or crisis, such as when a patient's cancer recurs. I try to provide a reassuring presence. I want patients and their families to know that whatever happens, I'll be there. I'm going to hang in there with them."
