Oncologist’s homage to his mother helps cancer patients recover
By Carlton Fletcher
[email protected]
ALBANY — Dr. Jose Tongol, an oncologist of significant renown, had his reasons for putting his own money where his mouth was to help bring the Phoebe Oncology Wellness Center to life.
Tongol’s mother, Gloria Tongol, who developed lung cancer even though she’d never smoked, inspired him in her battle against the disease that he fights every day, and he wanted to honor her memory by developing a center where cancer patients could go to focus on healing their minds, body and spirit.
Stephanie Stevenson of Albany is one of the survivors who comes to the wellness center on a regular basis, on a recent Friday joining center Manager Robin McCord and other regulars for Circuit Training and Tai Chi classes. Stevenson has her own reasons for becoming a part of the wellness center.
“I’ve got guns!” she said, showing off her defined biceps to an impressed visitor.
Tongol’s vision of bringing an Oncology Wellness Center to Albany was sparked when he visited the M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Jacksonville, Fla..
“I saw the program they had and thought it was something we needed,” the oncologist said. “I brought the idea back to (Phoebe Oncology Center Medical Director of Oncology) Dr. (Troy) Kimsey, and he OK’d it.
“My mother believed in a holistic approach to wellness, and helping to bring this center to Albany honors her.”
Stevenson, her bud Patti Crawford, Sharon Sewell and a group of around 10 ladies came to the wellness center for a recent 11 a.m. Tai Chi class. They listened intently as McCord, who is certified by the Cancer Exercise Training Institute, talked about such vital elements as range of motion, stamina and strength, and they followed her instructions absolutely.
“When I started coming here in November of last year, I used my walker to get around,” said Sewell, of whom McCord marveled, “She could teach the class; she follows everything so closely.”
“Now,” Sewell continued, “I just use it when I need help with balance. I have chronic blood cancer, and I still take chemotherapy pills. But because I’ve gained more strength and stamina, I can do things like my recent trip to Sarasota without any major concerns.”
Crawford, too, sings the praises of the center in helping her cope with the effects of breast and lung cancer, as well as non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
“I had a physician tell me I needed to come to the center,” Crawford said. “He told me, ‘You’ve got to go see Robin.’
“The instruction we get is great, but we also get benefits like motivation, fellowship, a place to share, a place to make new friends. This place is great.”
Phoebe officials credit Tongol with being the impetus for the Oncology Wellness Center. He used his own money to get the project off the ground, and it has become a vital part of the Phoebe Cancer Center.
The idea behind the center, Phoebe officials said, is solely as a way to help cancer patients with their recovery.
McCord turned out to be the ideal candidate to run the center and direct its programs, which, in addition to classes that deal with the health of the body, include art and music classes.
In 2014, while working at the Moultrie YMCA, McCord directed a pilot program that provided exercise and support for cancer patients.
“When there was talk about an Oncology Wellness Center at Phoebe, I felt like I knew exactly what Dr. Tongol wanted,” she said. “As a certified cancer exercise specialist, I’m able to create classes that meet patients’ specific needs.”
McCord, too, says she sees benefits beyond strengthening recovering oncology patients’ bodies.
“Another component of the wellness center is that it’s become an informal support group,” she said. “Today after classes, I heard a couple of ladies talking to another lady who was getting ready for a bone density test. They told her what to expect.
“I love coming here because I’m inspired, too. I listen to people talk about how bad things are in their lives, and I just want to tell them about these ladies, who have every right to complain, but they don’t. They’re living their lives. I believe there is a serenity that comes with coming face-to-face with their own mortality.”
The Phoebe Oncology Wellness Center, located at 2709 Meredyth Drive in Albany, holds classes Monday, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and is open for cancer patients only. There is no charge for the programs provided.
For additional information, contact McCord at [email protected] or call (229) 312-5440.
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