Emotional Support Services at NOB
The diagnosis of a brain tumor elicits many different and sometimes difficult emotions, not only for the patient, but also for members of the patient’s family who are affected by the disease. Patients with brain tumors may encounter changes in cognitive functioning and language; a diminished ability to focus or make decisions; or short-term memory loss, which can greatly affect their personal and professional lives.
NOB Brain Tumor Support Group
The Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) is dedicated to helping patients with brain tumors and their families deal with the physical and emotional facets of this disease. The NOB Brain Tumor Support Group provides an environment and an opportunity for patients, families, and friends to express their feelings and learn new ways to cope with all aspects of this disease.
These groups include a combined patient/caregiver group, a caregiver-only group, and a patient-only support group. The groups meet the first and third Tuesday of every month. Please contact Nancy Garren, CRNP at (301) 496-6380 or e-mail her at garrenn@mail.nih.gov for information and to sign up for a specific group.
In addition to the support groups, a network of nationwide community and local agency resources are provided for our patients at the time of their clinic visit.
Nancy B. Garren, C.R.N.P.
Nancy Garren is a certified nurse practitioner and directs the emotional support services network at NOB. She obtained her B.S.N. in 1979 from Grand View College in Iowa. A majority of her nursing career was focused in the psychiatric field. She is certified as a psychiatric and mental health nurse through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She obtained her M.S.N./Family Nurse Practitioner from Drake University in Iowa in 2001 and worked the next 3 years in an adult private psychiatric practice. She came to NOB in 2004 and continues to be a resource for psychiatric education for patients and colleagues.