Patient Partner Program

What is the Patient Partner Program?

Every cancer journey is unique. But it is almost certain that along the way you will meet others with shared experiences who are willing to lend a hand to help or an ear to listen. The Patient Partner Program, designed by our Patient and Family Advisory Council, pairs current patients with volunteer mentors, who have received care at our Cancer Center and can share words of advice, wisdom and encouragement.

Becoming a Mentor

At this time, the Patient Partner Program is undergoing program updates and will resume operations in Summer 2024. You may complete the application to become a patient partner mentor and we will be sure to contact you when the program has commenced. Thank you for your patience during this time.

You may be a Patient Partner Program mentor if you:

• Have received cancer care at UMass Memorial Health within the past ten years
• Are a good listener with patience and compassion
• Have some flexibility in your schedule to meet with the patient virtually or in person

Here’s what Patient Partner Program mentors can expect:

• Once assigned to a patient, you will meet with the patient in whatever format best suits their needs including, but not limited to, in-person, on the phone, or via videoconference.
• You will share your experiences with the patient and help answer questions related to treatment and cancer care at UMass Memorial Health
• You will connect with the patient at least monthly.  Frequency and duration of interactions beyond that is up to the patient and mentor.
• You may mentor multiple patients at the same time, but no more than three.
• You will be trained in HIPPA requirements and UMass Memorial Health’s Standards of Respect and complete the volunteer orientation.

Once we have approved your Mentor Request, we will contact you to arrange an in-person appointment, where you will complete a Patient Partner Program mentor application and hospital CORI Forms, as well as submit a valid ID and sign a hospital Confidentiality/User Access Agreement. If you have additional questions, please contact Volunteer Services at 774-443-2558 or email volunteerservices@umassmemorial.org.