Comprehensive cancer care extends far beyond the hospital, providing partnerships for patients as they navigate every aspect of their new normals. At Ohio State, a major part of that holistic care commitment is taken on by social workers, who provide vital assistance that helps free up time and resources for patients, survivors and caretakers so that they can give necessary attention to the non-cancer aspects of their lives. “The role of an OSUCCC – James social worker is to be an advocate for every patient, and to make sure they get the resources and services they need,” says Katie Klakos, MSW, LISW-S, who serves as The Ohio State University College of Social Work’s director of field education. Klakos goes in-depth on the important roles of social workers in cancer care on The James Cancer-Free World Podcast. Listen via the video player above, or on SoundCloud.  Social work factors heavily into cancer treatment at Ohio State, where doctors, nurses and other staff members work together to create personalized care plans tailored for each patient. “One of the great things about The James is we treat every patient as an individual,” says Klakos, who was an OSUCCC – James social worker for several years before transitioning to her teaching role at the university. Every James patient is assigned a social worker who assesses their needs — as well as those of their families — and connects them with a wide variety of experts and services, including medical equipment, at-home nursing programs, help with employer forms, and much, much more. “We help give patients some sense of normalcy as they’re dealing with the toughest thing in their lives,” Klakos says. Klakos experienced the benefits of The James social work program on another level in 2018, when her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The journey gave her an even greater appreciation of the work of Ohio State social workers, as well as doctors, nurses and the rest of the faculty and staff. “It highlighted the culture of kindness and care at The James,” she says. “We really felt that, and that allowed me to lean more into my role as a daughter.”