Lindsey Morris
Going to the doctor’s is not usually a pleasant experience, but it is one that can be ameliorated with the right details in the waiting areas.
“Currently the atmosphere for patients and families waiting for treatment on the first floor of the Outpatient Services Clinic shows potential for improvement,” said Angela Maskey, Guest Relations Coordinator at the Georgia Cancer Center. “With some resources and attention to detail, the overall environment could be more supportive to our patients and guests.”
When visiting the Outpatient Clinic during her work with the ‘Whole Person Healing Initiative’, she noticed different areas of the lobby that could be updated to improve the overall atmosphere. Thus, the ‘Amenities, Appearance, Awareness’ program was created.
The first step of the plan is to upgrade the Patricia Sodomka Resource center, in partnership with Emily Harris, GCC Librarian. Additional reading materials, new children’s center supplies and new furniture will encourage better utilization of that space. A roaming reading cart for volunteers to use while checking in on waiting guests will be stocked with new titles, as well as subscriptions to non-clinical magazines for easy reading options. Adding an additional charging station for guest use and updating the map directory for easy reference and awareness about amenities offered at the clinic will also be completed. For example, many visitors are unaware of the LACE Local Art for Cancer exhibit and the outdoor garden spaces are available to ease the stress of clinical visits.
Guests will be able to provide suggestions and feedback about their waiting experience and offer a voice in the ongoing improvements.
These updates will be funded by Unite in the Fight Against Cancer. Unite is an annual community celebration honoring all who have been affected by this disease, while raising funds for patient-centered programs. Unite 2024 funded thirteen programs to improve the lives of our patients and staff here in our community, including this program.
“The overall goal is to ease their wait and make it a more pleasant experience. It is a stressful time, and we want to make it as pleasant as we possibly can.”
If you would like to learn more about this program, follow us on Facebook to be kept up to date on it and the other programs funded by Unite in the Fight Against Cancer. Unite in the Fight Against Cancer will be held on May 3, 2025. You can find more information by visiting our website and Facebook event page. We encourage all to join us in support of all who fight against cancer every day.
