Ever wondered what true comprehensive cancer care looks like? A remarkable new initiative by Durham philanthropist Rebecca Feinglos is changing the game. This program goes beyond medical treatment, addressing the often-unseen emotional toll on patients, families, and even doctors. Could this set a new standard for healthcare worldwide?
A groundbreaking initiative to transform comprehensive cancer care has been launched in Durham, North Carolina, spearheaded by local philanthropist Rebecca Feinglos. This innovative program, established in partnership with a major academic medical center, directly addresses the often-overlooked emotional and psychological impact of devastating diagnoses on patients, their families, and dedicated healthcare providers. The establishment of this new grief support framework marks a significant step towards holistic patient and provider well-being.
Named the Susan & Mark Feinglos Grief Initiative, this comprehensive program is a testament to the enduring legacy of Feinglos’ parents and their profound impact. Designed to integrate seamlessly into the medical center’s operations, its primary goal is to offer specialized grief care that acknowledges the deep sorrow and complex mental health challenges experienced throughout the cancer journey, extending far beyond the physical treatment.
For Rebecca Feinglos, the initiative is deeply personal. Her late mother, Susan, was among the first patients treated by Dr. Allan Friedman, now a globally recognized neuro-oncologist. Witnessing her mother’s eight-year battle with glioblastoma highlighted for Rebecca the critical need for explicit mental wellness provisions within cancer protocols, a need she now champions through her philanthropic efforts and expertise as a certified grief support specialist.
Dr. Friedman underscored the necessity of this pioneering approach, stating, “This initiative recognizes that truly comprehensive cancer care must include comprehensive grief care. The grief experienced by our patients, their families, and our care team deserves the same level of attention and expertise we bring to treating the disease itself.” This statement emphasizes a paradigm shift in how medical institutions view and respond to the emotional landscape of critical illness.
Rebecca’s vision for this initiative is a powerful synthesis of her personal experience, professional qualifications, and a deep-seated commitment to her community. Her father, Dr. Mark Feinglos, also served with distinction at Duke’s Division of Endocrinology for over four decades, further solidifying the family’s ties to medical research and patient care within the institution.
Reflecting on her childhood, Rebecca noted, “Thirty years ago, we weren’t speaking openly about grief and mental health the way we do now. We have the opportunity to do so much more for patients, families, and the people who care for them during treatment and beyond.” Her words highlight a societal evolution in understanding emotional well-being and the urgent need for healthcare innovation to meet contemporary needs.
The pilot program aims to serve as a vital blueprint for medical centers worldwide. The Feinglos Fund and the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center team envision a long-term, fundamental shift in how healthcare providers approach integrated patient and provider care, setting a new standard for empathy and support globally. This ambitious goal underscores the initiative’s potential for widespread positive impact.
Dr. John Adam, Neurosurgical Director at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, who also treated Susan Feinglos, emphasized the critical aspect of provider support. “Rebecca’s vision of providing more grief support addresses an unmet need for our providers and staff,” Dr. Adam stated. “Working in an environment where death and fatal diagnoses are part of the daily experience takes an emotional toll. Just as we take great care to treat the medical conditions faced by our patients and their loved ones, so must we support the members of our team who bravely navigate grief every day.”
The Feinglos Fund is dedicated to both North Carolina-based and nationwide grantmaking, championing causes that empower women and girls, advance educational opportunities, strengthen democracy, and expand access to grief support. This broad philanthropic mission reinforces the fund’s commitment to improving societal well-being through strategic and impactful initiatives, with the Susan & Mark Feinglos Grief Initiative being a flagship example.
