Advanced cancer care to heal the whole person

Cancer support services

A cancer diagnosis can be very stressful for patients and their families. The Joe and Virginia Schmissrauter Center for Cancer Support offers guidance and a full range of holistic care. All services are free to cancer patients and their families and no referral is needed.  The Center is located on the CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga campus in the Plaza Building, 605 Glenwood Drive, Suite 307, Chattanooga, TN. For more information, call (423) 495-7778.

Your Oncology Certified Cancer Team

  • RN Nurse Navigators – education, coordination, symptom management
  • Clinical Social Workers – individual and family counseling, support groups, psychosocial education, stress reduction, case management
  • Dietitians – nutrition tips for symptom management, wellness nutrition, tube feeding recommendations
  • Oncology Chaplain – spiritual care, advance care planning

To talk to someone about cancer screening or treatment 24/7, call (423) 495-2222.

Support Groups

  • For women diagnosed with breast or gynecological cancer in active treatment
  • 1st & 3rd Wednesday each month, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. p.m. 
  • Contact Isabel Bolanos at (423) 495-7868
  • For all cancer patients, their families and friends
  • 1st & 3rd Thursday each month, 2- 3 p.m.
  • Contact Briana Cobb at (423) 495-7703
  • For caregivers of those who are living with cancer
  • 2nd Tuesday each month 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
  • Contact Brooke Hogan at (423) 495-3142

Thousands of GriefShare support groups meet weekly around the world. Visit or join a group at anytime, and attend as many meetings as you would like. Find out more information at GriefShare.org.

  • For patients and caregivers affected by Leukemia or Lymphoma
  • 1st Thursday each month, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
  • Contact Brooke Hogan (423) 495-3142

CHI Memorial offers smoking cessation classes to help you stop smoking. The four-week course helps participants learn how to overcome tobacco addiction so they can start enjoying the benefits of better health. The program is offered in a  small, nonjudgemental setting and includes the following topics:

  • Stress management
  • Avoiding weight gain
  • Staying smoke-free for good
  • New classes begin monthly. Virtual and in-person sessions are available. For more information or to register, call (423) 495-7778. Learn more

SPOHNC’s National Survivor Volunteer Network is a wonderful program. The Match Program is especially helpful for those who are unable to get to a group meeting or who live in an area where there may not currently be a group that meets each month. Phone support can be very helpful to those who are just beginning treatment or having issues with side effects following treatment. For more information, call 800.377.0928 or go to their website at info@spohnc.org.

  • For people who have completed cancer treatment
  • 1st Wednesday of each month 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
  • Contact Briana Cobb at (423) 495-7703

Additional Services


Our holistic approach means we provide care which supports your mind, body and spirit. Additional services include:

  • Clinical trial – Information is available for those who may be eligible.
  • Financial Counseling – Cancer treatment can be costly. Our counselors work to relieve concerns and connect to resources so patients can focus on recovery.
  • Relaxation Techniques – Breathing, guided imagery and mediation techniques can help manage stress, enhance wellbeing, improve coping skills and increase self-awareness.
  • Resource Library – Brochures, books and videos on a wide variety of topic are available with some resources in Spanish.
  • Risk Counseling – Cancer risk counseling is available to help people understand better how genetic factors and family history of cancer might affect their individual risk of developing cancer. Learn more
  • Spiritual Care – As you and your family face cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival, CHI Memorial’s chaplains are available for counseling and prayer. Your needs may require only a brief prayer or a more intensive faith discussion. Our mission is to provide aid, comfort and respect.

For more information about services offered at CHI Memorial Center for Cancer Support, call (423) 495-7778.

Survivorship Empowerment Video Series


People often wonder what they can do to get and stay healthy once cancer treatment is complete.  Lifestyle changes, like eating healthier and increasing physical activity, can lower your risk of cancer and death, according to a 2014 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

We hope you find our Survivorship Empowerment Video Series beneficial.

Melanoma Survivor Video
nutrition video
cooking video