The goal of the Peer to Peer Support Program is to broaden healthcare for patients and families through the unique support and understanding of peer-to-peer mentoring, to foster happier, healthier lives and reduce feelings of isolation.

Peers mentors are carefully selected, trained and supported volunteers. They help other patients and their support circle address the challenges related to a disease or medical condition.

In this program, you are linked with a mentor who shares similar health and life circumstances. Through these trusted relationships, mentors provide support in many ways:

• They listen to concerns
• They share personal experiences
• They serve as a resource for developing coping strategies
• They provide guidance in negotiating healthcare systems

Peer mentors help patients and caregivers during the difficult waiting period for a donor heart and throughout the transplant process and recovery time.

This is a quarterly informational session and support group. Families and caregivers are welcome. A continental breakfast will be served.

Session topics:

• Basics of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): How it functions and other helpful facts.
• Support group: Living with your ICD.

Providing caregivers of adult patients with an opportunity to discuss challenges, learn new coping strategies, and strengthen support.

Meeting dates and topics for 2015:

• April 8, 2015 – Caring for the Caregiver: Coping and Stress Management
• June 10, 2015 – Understanding Nutrition and Medication Needs
• August 12, 2015 – Caring for the Caregiver: Recog-nizing Caregiver Burnout
• October 14, 2015 – Impact of Illness on Relation ships and Intimacy
• December 9, 2015 – Caring for the Caregiver: Coping and Stress Management

Please join us! Refreshments will be served!

The Li Ka Shing Center for Learning and Knowledge is a new building located at the far end of the main hallway of Stanford Hospital (from the main entry, go right and walk all the way to the end—the building is on the left)

See monthly email for details on topic and room assignment. Download an informational PDF about the group.

Note: Patients who have B cepacia, MRSA, and multi-resistant organisms may not attend in person. WebEx available for video or teleconference.

About our Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group

Our Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group was founded in April 2004 and is coordinated by Susan Jacobs RN, MS. Meetings are held every other month. Guest speakers have addressed topics such as:

• Experimental Therapies for IPF
• Updates from International American Thoracic Society (ATS) Meetings
• The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis IPF Research Questionnaire Results
• All You Need to Know About Oxygen
• Exercise and the IPF Patient
• Quality of Life at the End of Life

Please call Susan Jacobs at 650-725-8083 to confirm date and time as they are subject to change.

This group meets every other month. Approximately 10-15 LAM patients and their families attend meetings, which usually include a guest speaker on topics of interest, as well as time to visit and ask questions.

Lung & Heart-Lung Transplant Patients & Caregivers Welcome!  

Please Join Us! Beverages will be served. 

January 9: Mindfulness Techniques: Frank Kremski, MSW

March 6: Psychological Care in Transplantation: Dr. Liza Sher, Transplant Psychiatrist

May 1: Presentation by Donor Family & Donor Network West

July 10: Staying Strong Throughout Transplantation: Transplant Physical Therapist

September 4: Keeping Healthy after Transplant: Transplant Nurse Practitioner

November 6: Lung Transplant Program Update by Dr. Gundeep Dhillon, Medical Director

For more information, please contact:
Frank Kremski, MSW: 650-445-8867 or
Kelsey Winnike, LCSW 650-561-2192 or
Pali Khalsa, MSW 650-850-2049

Our Adult Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group has been meeting monthly since June 2001 and is facilitated by Allyson Rupp, MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW, our Clinical Social Worker dedicated to the PH program. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month (unless otherwise noted). The intent of the group is to provide education and psychological support and resources to patients, caregivers and other support persons who are confronting the challenges of living with this chronic, progressive and potentially life-threatening diagnosis. 

Topics discussed:

• psycho-education
• pertinent PH-related information and resources
• peer support to enhance coping and successful adjustment
• quality of life issues
• available treatment modalities
• impacts of illness on relationships
• advances in PH research
• caregiver stress and coping
• emergency preparedness
• advanced care planning and self-advocacy

For more information, email Allyson Rupp or call 650-683-5145.

Or the Vera Moulton Wall Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease  at 800-640-9255.

Contact for more details and Zoom meeting link

When: The first Monday of the month (starting 3/6/2017)
Time: 1:00 to 2:30 PM 
Location: Stanford Health Care (main hospital)
300 Pasteur Dr., Ground Level, East Pavilion, HH02A conference room
Palo Alto, CA 94304

Please join us!

• Meet with other transplant patients and families in a confidential and safe environment
• Learn about available resources for kidney transplant patients
• Get help in dealing with emotions and stress.

Facilitated by Stanford Kidney Transplant Social Workers
Mila Kelman, LCSW 650-492-3135
Patti Fujii, MSW 650-483-1619
Loretta Sun, MSW 650-576-1704

Support Along the Way

Losing weight takes a strong commitment on your part, and undergoing bariatric surgery as a significant part of a weight-loss program, is a major undertaking. While it's something you can do alone, there's absolutely no reason you have to – or should. We've found that to be truly successful both in the short- and long-term, it's best to have plenty of help and support along the way. And not just from your family and friends.

The Stanford Center for Bariatric Surgery offers you the opportunity to participate in numerous meetings and support groups before and after surgery to help contribute to your successful outcome. The different groups provide a friendly forum for people who are considering or have already had weight loss surgery. We offer education about the surgery, guidelines for nutrition, exercise and emotional well-being during the preparation and recovery process. The groups also involve our patients who have gone through the procedures, or who will be soon.

Patient groups are particularly helpful as they can share their experiences and provide the encouragement and reinforcement you need to succeed in changing your lifestyle behaviors. Here is a sampling of some of the meetings and groups at your disposal. Feel free to contact us regarding any of them.

Weight Loss Surgery Support Group Meetings

The Stanford Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) Support holds meetings on the second Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at Blake-Wilbur Conference Room. Please contact the meeting facilitator or the clinic Patient Care Coordinator for meeting specifics, confirmation of date, and location.

These meetings are facilitated by a licensed professional. Discussions includes health goals, dietary requirements, exercise expectations, psychological preparation, role of family, short and long-term challenges, pre-op and post-op phases, etc.

When: Second Wednesday of each month
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Blake Wilbur Conference Room
Administered by: A licensed professional
Contact Information: Patient Care Coordinator at 650-736-5800

Each month features a special topic, followed by a Q&A. Samples of some topics include:

• Dietary Requirements – Staying On Track - RD
• Exercise Expectations – The Other Half of Equation - OT
• Post-Operative Course – What to Expect -  MD
• Psychological Adjustment – How to Cope - MSW
• Plastic Surgery – Body Re-Modeling - MD
• Social Events – Walk for Obesity

During these meetings, if desired, you will be assigned a Bariatric Surgery "Buddy" who can help you through the process and keep you on track.

Acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a slow-growing benign tumor that develops on the nerve that connects the ear and the brain. The tumor usually starts growing in the internal auditory canal and presses against the hearing and balance nerves as it grows.

At Stanford, we have treated over 1,000 acoustic neuromas over the last 20 years with surgery and radiosurgery. The Stanford Cyberknife Program is one the most active and experienced Cyberknife programs for acoustic neuromas in the U.S.

If you have been diagnosed with acoustic neuroma and have questions or wish to explore treatment options and coping strategies with other patients and clinical experts, please join us for upcoming Stanford Acoustic Neuroma Support Group meetings.

These free online support group meetings will be co-moderated by acoustic neuroma patients. The meetings consist of 20 minutes speaker presentation, 20 minutes patients' presentations of their own experiences, and open forum for discussion. Also, leading Stanford Neurosurgeon and acoustic neuroma expert Steven D. Chang, MD, will join for a Q&A session at the end of each meeting.

For questions or to register, email veevo@stanford.edu.

Past Talks

• Acoustic Neuroma Case Presentation and Panel Discussion Video
  
• The Importance of the Facial Nerve in the Symptoms and the Treatment of Acoustic Neuroma Video
• History of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acoustic Neuromas Video
• Watchful Waiting: When is it Reasonable and What are The Advantages and Disadvantages? Video
  
• Acoustic Neuroma Panel Discussion Video

The Neuroscience Supportive Care Program supports the physical and emotional well-being of patients and caregivers. Sign up for virtual exercise and meditation classes, support groups, and more. All services are free and open to the community, regardless of where you receive care. Visit us at Stanford Neuroscience Supportive Care Program »

Penny Donnelly, RN, LMFT is the director of the support programs at Stanford's Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Center. She has developed and led a number of counseling and health education programs for patients and facilitates support groups for infertility, third party reproduction (donor egg, donor sperm, use of gestational carrier), and weight loss. Her programs reflect genuine caring, support and guidance. We have also recently implemented a designated group for single women exploring fertility preservation or parenting.

This group is for those exploring or moving towards using donor egg, donor sperm, or using a gestational carrier. We explore the many educational, emotional, ethical, and logistical considerations. 

For more information, please navigate to the Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center. If you are interested in more personalized information about our programs, please email IVFnurse@stanfordmed.org.

Private and couples counseling also available, with NO charge for the first session.

Penny Donnelly, RN LMFT is the director of the support programs at Stanford's Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Center. She has developed and led a number of counseling and health education programs for patients and facilitates support groups for infertility, third party reproduction (donor egg, donor sperm, use of gestational carrier), and weight loss. Her programs reflect genuine caring, support and guidance. We have also recently implemented a designated group for single women exploring fertility preservation or parenting.

This group is for women (or couples) that would like support as they negotiate the "ups and downs" of fertility treatments.  We will share strategies for improved coping including some mind/body modalities. Sharing, restructuring negative or distorted thinking patterns, improving communication skills, and learning the gift of forgiveness and resilience are some sample agendas. The spirit of this on-going and open group is to provide the attendees with a sense of optimism and emotional stability as they undergo treatments and make decisions about fertility options. 

8/12/14 Stress Reduction Strategies    

• Eliciting the Relaxation Response
• Twenty things that bring you joy
• Being "in the flow"
• Mindfulness – focusing on the present and the foundations of a mindfulness practice
• Taping into your "inner" wisdom

9/9/14 Making the Most of Your Fertility Treatments

• Lifestyle Guidelines
• Staying connected
• Life Balance
• Positive thinking and optimism
• Finding the best in your partner

For more information, please navigate to the Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center. If you are interested in more personalized information about our programs, please email IVFnurse@stanfordmed.org.

Private and couples counseling also available, with NO charge for the first session.