Supportive Care in Tuscaloosa

What Is Supportive Care?

DCH Health System and The University of Alabama have partnered to launch a transformative new program—Supportive Care—focused on enhancing quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses.

Housed within the Lewis and Faye Manderson Cancer Center, Supportive Care delivers personalized, whole-person care that goes beyond clinical treatment. By addressing pain, emotional needs, and spiritual support, this program helps patients live more comfortably with dignity and strength.

“Supportive Care helps patients maintain their quality of life while managing complex symptoms,” said Mallary Myers, DCH Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

A Collaborative Model of Care

This innovative approach is made possible through the collaboration of DCH and the University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing. As part of the initiative, 350 senior nursing students will gain hands-on experience in palliative and supportive care—preparing the next generation of caregivers to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care.

Dr. Kristi Acker, Associate Professor and Certified Oncology and Palliative Nurse Practitioner, explains:

“This program provides a blueprint for building a strong nursing workforce while improving outcomes for patients and families.”

Looking Ahead

Initially serving patients with cancer, the program is expected to expand to support individuals with a wide range of complex health conditions. With ongoing research and clinical evaluation, Supportive Care represents the next chapter in patient-centered innovation at DCH.

Supportive Care vs. Palliative Care

Both Supportive Care and Palliative Care focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life for patients facing serious illness.

Category	Supportive Care	Palliative Care
Who It's For	Patients with cancer, initially	Anyone with a serious or advanced illness, regardless of diagnosis
What's Included	Pain management, emotional support, and spiritual care as part of whole-person treatment	Symptom management — pain, fatigue, nausea, and more — plus psychological and spiritual support

Palliative Care and Supportive Care both provide whole-person support for serious illness, including pain management and emotional and spiritual care. Supportive Care is a newer program, currently serving cancer patients at Manderson Cancer Center.

If you're not sure which program applies to your situation, ask your care team - they can help direct you to the right resources.

Learn More About Supportive Care

Supportive Care at Manderson Cancer Center is designed to help patients maintain their quality of life while managing the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of serious illness. If you have questions about the program, or want to know whether it's right for you or a loved one, talk to your care team today.