Alison Petok, MSW, LCSW, MPH

Sometimes when our lives are so busy and full, we may wonder, why do we even sleep? Sleep is, in fact, as important as oxygen, food, and water. It provides...

Every year around this time, I find myself confused about my emotions. Sometimes I feel happiness and excitement about the holiday season; other times I feel lingering sadness or even...

The winter months can bring plenty of things we enjoy: hot cocoa, fuzzy slippers, lots of cookies, and time with family and friends. But it can also bring some things...

Dear Lung Cancer Patient, I’m just writing to say, I’m sorry about the stigma. I know you wake up every day with a disease that is surrounded by a great...

You’re sitting in a chair, anxiously awaiting information from your doctor, answering their questions while he or she stares at a screen and is quickly out of the room. This...

“Hospice” can be a scary word for patients and families, but in reality it is a wonderful service that offers so much in a time of need. One reason “hospice”...

In my job as an oncology social worker I have the privilege of being part of a palliative care team, but find that many people do not really know what...

Hearing that you have cancer for the first time can be incredibly overwhelming. In fact, many patients feel that they are in shock after hearing the news, and have difficulty...

Navigating a new cancer diagnosis and treatment can be challenging and overwhelming. You may have a lot of questions that come up, some that you never imagined you’d be asking...