"Well I think anyone that thinks about a more holistic approach to care that addresses the mind, the body, the human spirit, it’s hard to argue that there isn’t anything not real or important about those things." Lori Knutson, RN, BSN, HNC, Executive Dir. Penny George Institute for Health & Healing.

"As a care coordinator, I will be partnering with you through your cancer treatment to make sure we get you through the treatment, get you the services that you need, in a timely fashion and the resources to connect you with the people and services to help you get through the cancer treatment." Connie Brenna, RN, BSN, Nurse Coordinator.

"The initial diagnosis of cancer is probably one of the most significant, life-changing events you could possibly imagine, not just for the individual, but for his or her family." Tim Sielaff, MD, PhD, FACS, President, Virginia Piper Cancer Institute.

"So we help them find ways that they can do that and feel like they have some sense of control and some sense of being an active participant." Mimi Lindell, RN, Integrative Health Nurse Clinician.

With the stress in their life because of their cancer diagnosis, and not only theirs, but their families as well. What’s the nutritional needs they need to optimize and be resilient to what’s happening in their cancer. And physical activity because people think of the physical activity only in fitness or exercise, and we really think about it in endurance and sleep. So we focus on all three of those areas when we meet with cancer patients. Lori Knutson, RN, BSN, HNC, Executive Dir. Penny George Institute for Health & Healing.

The Integrative therapies we provide is often to help reduce the experience of stress being in the hospital, as well as symptom management – reducing pain, nausea, anxiety – those sorts of things. It's very individualized with each patient. So we really integrate different therapies, combinations of therapies to help reduce pain for people. Mimi Lindell, RN, Integrative Health Nurse Clinician.

The idea is that the team really wraps themselves around that patient and their family and allows them to focus on what’s important for them and their families. And the team – the clinicians, the care coordinator, the cancer social workers, rehabilitation doctors, etc – works to make sure that all the resources are brought for that patient’s care, so they don’t have to worry about where they are going for their next appointment, or where they are going to get information that’s going to help them make the right decision for their care. Tim Sielaff, MD, PhD, FACS, President, Virginia Piper Cancer Institute.

I think the impact of a holistic approach to patient care is profound. It really says to the patient, "I’m not a diagnosis, I’m not a body organ." They see the person as a whole person – mind, body, soul, spirit. A social member and I think that’s the greatest impact we have. Lori Knutson, RN, BSN, HNC, Executive Dir. Penny George Institute for Health & Healing.

Allina's Holistic and Coordinated model of cancer care gives patients peace of mind knowing someone is there to guide them every step of the way. To learn more about the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, visit allina.com/cancer.