Meet Our Social Workers

The role of the oncology social worker is to help patients, families, and caregivers deal with the experience of facing cancer. Social workers are educated and skilled to assist with the psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual issues that people have to deal with in oncology.

• Coping with a diagnosis and the emotions you may experience
• Providing emotional support and counseling to you, your family, and caregivers
• Improving your quality of life
• Understanding what it is like to live with cancer
• Understanding your financial benefits and insurance coverage
• Applying for financial assistance programs
• Accessing copay assistance programs for drugs
• Finding transportation to medical appointments
• Making decisions regarding your treatment and other areas of your life
• Filling out and filing an advance directive
• Talking with your treatment team, family, and friends
• Finding local support groups 
• Connecting you to community resources

At ECHO, we are pleased to have two excellent social workers as part of our team. Heather serves as our Patient Navigator, assisting patients and caregivers navigate the many challenges involved in cancer care. Antonio serves a valuable emotional support role, providing therapeutic counseling to patients, caregivers and family members.

Heather Kwasnick, MSW, LMSW

Patient Navigator

Heather Kwasnick, MSW, LMSW help patients face the complex issues surrounding cancer. She supports patients with the many psychological and logistical issues related to care and treatment. She works tirelessly to help find patients the community resources they need to help improve their quality of life. She serves as a valuable advocate and can help patients on every step of their cancer journey. She can be reached at 860) 886-8362, x237 or by email at: hkwasnick@echoct.com

Antonio Okosky, LCWS

Therapeutic Services

Anthonio is a certified licensed clinical social worker who joined our team in the summer of 2024. He provides therapeutic services and counseling for patients, caregivers and their families. He has spent many years as a Bereavement Coordinator, a Group Facilitator for Hospice Care, and a Coordinator of Palliative Care. Most recently, he worked as a private practitioner in New London, CT where he provided individualized therapy with a focus anticipatory grief, grief, and complicated mourning/prolonged grief disorder.

At ECHO, he provides therapeutic services, as well as assists clients in increasing social support and optimizing quality of life. He will be on site Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am – 4pm and is able to see patients for therapeutic services in our office on an ongoing basis.

Antonio can be reached at: (860) 886-8362 Ext 237 or by email at: aokosky@echoct.com