Turn to The Learning Center for cancer and health information
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it’s natural to immediately want to learn as much as possible about the disease.
The Learning Center at MD Anderson not only links patients and family members to the latest and most reliable cancer information, but also offers resources on a wealth of other health topics.
Resources include: free booklets; journals and books; consumer health magazines and newsletters; online journals, electronic books and databases; topic-specific binders; audiotapes; and DVDs and videotapes.
The center’s staff members guide searches and help visitors find information they need to make informed decisions with their medical team.
The Learning Center has three locations:
- Theodore N. Law Learning Center, Main Building, Floor 4, near Elevator A, R4.1100
- Levit Family Learning Center, Mays Clinic, Floor 2, near The Tree Sculpture, ACB2.1120
- Holden Foundation Learning Center, Rotary House, Floor 1, RH1.103
Check the website for more information and access to resources, or email The Learning Center with questions.
The Learning Center in MD Anderson’s Main Building has plenty to offer patients, family members and caregivers:
1. Kathy Jinkins, associate director in the Patient Education Office, displays an array of materials available in The Learning Center. She directs operations for all three locations.
2. Patrons can check in at the reception desk, where a staff member will answer their initial questions and help direct their search for information. More than 31,000 people visited The Learning Centers in fiscal year 2012.
3. Lura Lumsden, health education specialist, helps a patron find information on cancer. Hundreds of free pamphlets and booklets from the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, American Institute for Cancer Research and other reliable sources cover a wide range of cancer topics.
4. Ashlie Bausley, health education specialist, searches for a reference resource. Information on breast cancer, self-care and nutrition were the most requested topics last year. Materials are also available in Spanish.
5. Cancer and health topic library books can be checked out. (From left) Linda Yarger, senior librarian, Jila Tanha, health education specialist, Julia Jenkins, librarian, and Rosemary Catallo, senior librarian (not pictured), find resources for a patient’s information search.
6. Liz Brackeen, senior librarian, locates the most helpful audiovisual material, including DVDs and CDs, to check out and view.
7. Patients, caregivers and family members can use computers to access their myMDAnderson account, check email and conduct research. The center also offers free use of fax machines and copier services.
8. A variety of DVDs on cancer and other health topics, some of which are produced at MD Anderson, are available.
9. Pathfinders guide patrons by highlighting available resources on specific topics. Pathfinders also are available on The Learning Center website.
Overall, The Learning Center distributed more than 62,000 materials in fiscal year 2012.
