Hematology | Oncology


Chaplain/Spiritual Services (Pastoral Care)
Please let your doctor or nurse know if you would like to speak with a chaplain or spiritual counselor, or you may contact the Pastoral Care Office directly at 617-638-6850.

Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies in which patients help doctors find ways to improve health and health care. Clinical trials can help answer scientific questions and find better ways to prevent, diagnose, or treat cancer. Many of today's treatments for cancer are based on the results of past clinical trials. Because of progress made through clinical trials, many people treated for cancer now live longer, and many are cured of their disease. If you are interested in joining a research study, talk to your doctor, nurse, or you can call the Clinical Trials Office directly at 617-638-8265. There are research nurses and assistants available to speak with you.

Interpreter Services
Interpreter services are available 24 hours a day. When you make your appointments, please be sure to tell the front desk if you will need an interpreter. It is helpful if an English-speaking family member comes with you on your first visit. After regular hours, interpreters are available on-call. You can leave a message at the hospital's multi-lingual message center at 1-800-841-4325.

Nutrition Counseling
Dieticians are available to help you with questions during your treatment. Please ask your doctor or nurse about making an appointment. You will be able to speak with the dietician about healthy eating while you are receiving chemotherapy and when the treatment is over. You can also talk about how to deal with the side effects of your disease or treatment such as nausea, lack of appetite, diarrhea/constipation, difficulty swallowing, or weight loss/weight gain issues.

Outpatient Pharmacy
There are two outpatient pharmacies located at Boston Medical Center. One pharmacy is located in the Menino Pavillion (840 Harrison Avenue). The phone number is 617-414-4883. For those patients with McGill or other Free Care prescription programs, this is the pharmacy you will use. The other is located on the first floor of the Doctors' Office Building (720 Harrison Avenue). That phone number is 617-638-8132. Once you are a patient at one pharmacy, you cannot switch to the other. We encourage you to drop off your prescription as soon as possible to cut down on the time you will have to wait to have them filled.

Psychiatry
Psychiatry is an important service for the Solomont Center for Hematology and Medical Oncology. The psychiatry department can help you and your family members cope with your disease and the different treatments. If you feel it might be helpful for you to talk with a psychiatrist, please talk to your doctor or nurse or call the psychiatry department of 617-638-8670 to make an appointment.

Radiation Medicine
Many patients who receive chemotherapy treatment will also receive radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The staff in the medical oncology and radiation oncology departments will work with you to plan and give you treatments.

Social Work
Social work services are available to patients and families for help with many of the needs that happen when dealing with cancer. Trained Clinical Social Workers can provide confidential counseling and psychotherapy to you or members of your family. Experienced Resource Specialists help in identifying public and private agencies, organizations, and businesses that handle other needs you may have such as obtaining transportation, prostheses, hospital equipment, homecare, health insurance, housing, etc. Please ask your doctor or nurse about these services or call the Social Work Department directly at 617-638-6830.

Support Groups
There are many national and local support groups available. At the Solomont Center for Hematology and Medical Oncology we sponsor a number of support groups for patients with specific conditions. These groups usually meet once per month. Please speak with your nurse to obtain more information.

Laboratory
An appointment is needed to have blood taken or to give a urine sample. The laboratory is located in the clinic.