City of Hope staff members have begun offering a free orientation class for new patients and family members at the medical center.

Heather Ducksworth and Carolyn Stoutt are behind a new orientation class for patients. (Photo of p.cunningham)

The class, offered twice a week, will give patients and their families an overview of City of Hope’s clinical spaces to help them navigate the center, as well as a wealth of other information to get the most out of treatment.

Staff from the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center run the course.

“Research on patients’ needs showed that they want to know more about where to go for their appointments, where to get services and how to find their way around,” said Heather Ducksworth, M.S.W., social work navigator at the Biller Patient and Family Resource Center.

Ducksworth and fellow social work navigator Carolyn Stoutt, M.S.W., organized the classes with support from Sharon Steingass, R.N., M.S.N., vice president of ambulatory services, and staff in New Patient Services.

Besides providing guidance on clinic and lab locations, the class will teach patients how best to take advantage of their time with their physicians and health-care teams and whom to call if they feel lost. The class also will provide important phone numbers and supportive and practical resources available to them.

The class also will include an optional 15-minute tour of clinical areas.