Couples Coping Together Against Brain Cancer

Claudia has been a Couples clinician With the Couple’s Coping with Cancer Together program since 2019. She has a passion for helping couples improve their communication, helping them to solve problems as a team and to make the best out of their relationship.

Claudia was personally affected by cancer when her husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009.

As a bilingual clinician, she takes pride in working with Latino patients and their partners and has more than 20 years of experience counseling marginalized populations. 

Claudia recognizes the value of community outreach and the importance of helping patients obtain the resources they need to better navigate their cancer journey. 

She obtained her master’s degree in social work with an emphasis on culturally sensitive community programs. She currently collaborates with community organizations such as Cancer Support Community to provide education and support for partnered patients and their families. 

In her personal time, Claudia enjoys antiquing, weekend getaways and spending time with her family.

Terry joined City of Hope in 1992 and in 2007 became City of Hope’s first patient navigator. In her 30 years of dedicated service, Terry has been recognized as a compassionate expert, setting the standard for exquisite patient and family navigation. In this trail blazing role, and as a relentless advocate, she helps and family members navigate through the hospital system, assisting in finding essential resources and coordination of care. 

Terry has been a leader and contributor to the expansion of the Couples Coping With Cancer program into City of Hope’s Women’s Cancers Program.  Her expertise helps patients and their committed partners to carefully work together, as a team, to manage the many challenges cancer presents.   

Since the development of the new Couples Coping Against Brain Cancer Together Program, Terry has transitioned as the primary patient and partner navigator, collaborating closely with the multidisciplinary teams in the multidisciplinary teams in City of Hope’s supportive care medicine and integrative oncology departments.

Terry is also an active member of El Concilio (City of Hope's Spanish-speaking Patient and Family Advisory Council) where she has a leadership role in strengthening the bonds and access to the Latino culture by providing education, support and advocating for the best quality and culturally sensitive care. She enriches the lives of patients, their families, and her colleagues. 

Terry is a proud foodie who loves to try local dining establishments, when not creating floral arrangements or spending time with her family.

Nicole is a psychosocial couples clinician with the Couples Coping Together Against Brain Cancer program. She works with couples on the impacts of cancer on relationships, how they can best support each other, ways to communicate openly and really thrive in their relationship. 

Nicole has personally witnessed the effects of cancer not just on patients, but especially their partners. She has been helping to build the program from the ground up, from developing the clinical processes to creating opportunities for couples to best support each other. 

With more than 15 years of experience as licensed clinical social worker, she has a vested and genuine interest in the well-being of her patients and their loved ones and was nominated for the 2015 Values in Action award at City of Hope® Cancer Center for her embodiment of compassion. 

She received her master’s degree in social work with an emphasis in community mental health and holds advanced certifications in both oncology and palliative care. 

She became interested in oncology social work, observing her parents navigate health care systems, and was inspired to be the bridge between providers and patients and their loved ones. Nicole is from Newport Beach, California and enjoys film noir movies and traveling through isolated deserts, and will always try to pet every dog she encounters.

Jonathan serves as an interfaith spiritual care provider for the Couples Coping Together Against Brain Cancer program, extending crucial support to patients, partners and providers as they navigate sickness, suffering and major life transitions. He is committed to working with individuals as they seek solace, meaning, purpose and connection throughout their cancer journeys. Jonathan is passionate about leading support groups. He facilitates City of Hope’s Caregivers Connect program for patients and families facing a cancer diagnosis and the Bereavement Support Groups for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Since 2015, Jonathan has been actively engaged in various ministries at All Saints Pasadena and in 2024 he was ordained as an Episcopal priest. Upon graduation from Fuller Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity degree, he discovered his calling as a hospital chaplain while working nights at a busy trauma center in Southern California.

Throughout the pandemic, Jonathan provided vital pastoral care to COVID-19 patients and their families in Los Angeles, where he witnessed firsthand the importance of offering compassionate, inclusive and evidence-based spiritual care to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Originally from West Michigan, Jonathan was a film studies major who nurtured dreams of becoming a Hollywood filmmaker. He remains a film aficionado who loves live theater, gets lost in fantasy novels and finds joy in singing along with his favorite bands on long road trips.