Medical Resource Council

The Medical Resource Council is made up of representatives from  local area hospitals, cancer centers, medical organizations and associations. As the Council grows, these representatives will include general physicians, oncologists, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, physical therapists, massage therapists, art and music therapists and representatives from other cancer support services in the local area.

The basic functions of the Medical Resource Council are:

• To support the Gilda’s Club mission and philosophy

• To lend credibility to Gilda’s Club- Council members will be community leaders in the medical and/or related fields whose name and/or affiliation can be easily recognized by people in the local community.

• To encourage referrals to Gilda’s Club - Council members will serve as a source for referral of potential members to Gilda’s Club, and actively encourage their colleagues to do the same. They will develop opportunities to discuss the Gilda’s Club program with patients, staff members and others in related fields.

• To participate in lectures as part of the Basic III ‘Plus’ program at the clubhouse Many affiliates have successfully engaged medical professionals in the Gilda’s Club program by inviting them to speak at special calendar events at the clubhouse. Some successful program workshops include topics such as "How to Talk to Your Doctor", "Ask the Nurse: Monoclonal Antibodies", "Fatigue: What Can You Do About It?" and "Ask the Doctor: You Don’t Have to Be In Pain", etc.

• To advise on member crisis situations - Occasionally prospective Gilda’s Club members may be inappropriate for membership (e.g., those psychiatric crisis). Council members can aid trained program staff by offering advice and expert opinions on specific cases.