LONG-TIME ASHBURN RESIDENT OPENS THE REGIONS FIRST ONCOLOGY-SPECIFIC REHABILITATION FACILITY

ASHBURN – Long-time Ashburn, VA resident and physical therapist (PT) Cheryl Guarna opened Northern Virginia's first rehabilitation facility dedicated to treating only cancer patients and cancer survivors.  Oncology Rehab and Wellness Resources, LLC, the region's only privately owned  cancer rehabilitation practice  provides comprehensive physical and occupational therapy and long-term wellness services for the specialized needs of cancer patients and cancer survivors.  

There is an ever-growing  body of empirical and anecdotal evidence suggesting targeted rehabilitation before, during and after cancer treatment may improve quality of life (QOL) issues in cancer patients and cancer survivors. While physicians have long referred breast cancer patients and survivors to rehabilitation for lymphedema – the result of damaged or removal of lymph nodes causing pain, discomfort and mobility problems – studies show rehabilitation can reduce impairments and relieve symptoms for all type of cancer and subsequent treatments. 

“There are assessment and treatment considerations that require a great deal of collaboration among a cancer patient's oncology care team,” Guarna said. “This is a big factor that really sets us apart from a general rehab facility. We are trained to help oncologists determine when rehab is appropriate for a patient; understand the wide array of variables resulting from the disease, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation; and we are able to quickly adapt to those changing variables, depending on where the patient is in treatment and recovery.” 

Oncology-specific rehabilitation differs from general rehabilitation in many ways.

• Clinicians are trained to accommodate the quickly changing needs of patients actively in treatment 
• Clinicians are experienced with and educated in the latest advances in cancer rehabilitation
• Clinicians have cancer specialty certifications
• Clinicians have knowledge of impairments specific to cancer drugs, radiation and surgery
• Clinicians are able to work hand-in-hand with patient and cancer-care team
• Patients are in an extended community of cancer survivors
• Rehabilitation is an extension of the patient's cancer-care plan

Guarna was a practicing PT for 15 years before opening Oncology Rehab and Wellness. She has a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy; is currently enrolled in an intensive lymphedema certification program (mid-January 2014 completion); and is  STAR Clinician® Certified (STAR/C). STAR/C certification is a nationally recognized cancer survivorship certification that focuses on the physical and emotional rehabilitation of cancer patients and cancer survivors. Originally from Pennsylvania, Guarna has lived and worked in Loudoun County for 15 years. She is an active member of the Ashburn community, and is a member in good standing of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce.