Caring for the Caregiver at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Caring for the Caregiver is an educational and supportive program for caregivers, hosted by The Wellness and Integrative Oncology Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.

Topics of discussion include strategies for:

• Self-care
• Mindfulness
• Stress management
• Relaxation
• Compassion fatigue
• Keeping active
• Dealing with worry and anxiety

Occasional guest speakers will participate including dietitians, social workers, and others who focus on self-care and wellness.

Educational literature will be available to take home on session topics. Registration is not required; drop-ins welcome. This event is free of charge.

Download the 2021 Caring for the Caregiver schedule. This series will be held virtually via Zoom until further notice. Please check back for updates.

Meet Our Caregiver Support Team

Christie Santure, BSN, RN, OCN
Christie Santure, BSN, RN, OCN, has been practicing as a nurse for 40 years. She moved to Pittsburgh from Michigan in 2008 and has been working as a treatment room nurse administrating chemotherapy on the 2nd Floor of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside ever since. She has received the UPMC HOPE Award, the UPMC ACES award, and has been nominated three times for the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Cameo of Caring award for her work developing and sustaining the Caring for the Caregivers support group as her Senior Nursing II project. Most recently, Christie won a national award for creating this program – the 2020 CURE Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing.

Joni Sturgill, MSCP, ERYT, AADP
Caring for the Caregivers is facilitated by Joni Sturgill, MSCP, ERYT, AADP, of the Wellness and Integrative Oncology Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Since 2004, Joni has been teaching stress reduction in the Pittsburgh area using mindfulness, meditation, relaxation and yoga. She holds a MS in Counseling Psychology and studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Through her business, Healthy Body Peaceful Soul, she shares insights on mental, emotional and physical wellness to corporate populations, cancer patients in the Integrative Oncology Program, and students of her training programs.

Caregiver Testimonials

Taking care of a loved one with cancer can be difficult. Since its inception, Caring for the Caregiver has helped many cancer caregivers in the Pittsburgh area. Below are some words from our caregivers:

• “We can only heal in a community." - Gary Marzolf
• “This is a group where we share our experience, strength and hope with other caregivers. We can express our feelings, share our problems and successes, and offer support to each other.” - Curt M.

Contact Us

For more information, including the Meeting ID and Password for Zoom, please contact Joni Sturgill at jonisturgill@gmail.com or Christie Santure at santurec@upmc.edu or call 412-692-4724.