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 Kwasnick, MSW, LMSW
Heather Kwasnick, MSW, LMSW help patients face the complex issues surrounding cancer. This includes providing emotional support, as well as assisting patients with logistical issues.
As an oncology social worker, Heather plays a valuable role on your healthcare team. She works tirelessly to help find patients the 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
In the short video below, meet Heather and learn about her role:
Antonio Okosky, LCWS
Anthonio is a certified licensed clinical social worker who joined our team in the summer of 2024. He has spend 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