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Dr. Cullen

Valued patients and staff,

At the UM Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), we want to help keep our patients safe while they receive the cancer care they need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

I want to take a moment to tell you some of the steps we're taking to help keep our patients and their families safe. We've made some changes to cancer center operations (detailed below). I encourage you to check back frequently as additional information will be posted regularly.

    Kevin J. Cullen, MD
    Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Distinguished Professor of Oncology
    Director of UMGCCC

Protecting Our Patients

At UMGCCC, we have implemented additional procedures and temporary visitor restrictions to address the specific needs of our patients. Here are a few steps UMGCCC is taking to ensure safety for you and your families:

Scheduling

  • We expanded our telemedicine services enabling both video and audio visits between patients and providers. This has been well received by patients, so please speak with your provider about choosing a telemedicine option for your visits.
  • In order to maintain your safety, long-term follow-up appointments may be rescheduled for a future date. In addition, some patients who see surgical specialists in Stoler are being seen at nearby locations adjacent to the hospital.
  • Multi-disciplinary visits for new patients will proceed as scheduled.
  • If your appointment has been moved or rescheduled, you will be contacted by one of our scheduling coordinators.

Before Your Appointment

  • We have changed our appointment reminder text messages and phone calls. You will be asked screening questions to determine if you may have been exposed to the virus. If your answer is yes to any of these questions, we ask you to call the UMGCCC Patient Assistance Line at 410-328-7609 before your appointment. Our expert nursing team will assess patients with COVID-19 symptoms over the phone and determine appropriate next steps.
  • Patients who are scheduled for an admission as well as some procedures are being screened and tested 24-72 hours prior to their appointment.
  • In order to minimize your exposure while in the hospital, we actively encourage patients, family members, and providers to schedule their respective lab and imaging appointments closer to the patient's home.

At Your Appointment

  • Once you enter Stoler, you can expect to be screened for any symptom concerns. In addition, we take your temperature and confirm your appointment for the day.
  • For those that present with symptoms, and to maintain the safety of other patients, we immediately screen patients in isolation rooms.
  • To optimize patient wait times, and to limit the amount of people in Stoler Infusion, we encourage treatments with shorter durations to take place in the afternoons.
  • Remember, all patients are required to wear a mask while on the UMMC campus, within the UMGCCC Stoler Pavilion, Allogeneic Stem Cell Clinic and the Breast Center.
  • Please do not wear gloves while you are in the clinic. Evidence shows wearing gloves may further spread the virus. As an added convenience, hand-washing facilities and hand sanitizer stations are available for all patients.

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