Steps to Wellness

Oncology Rehabilitation at UVM Health

A cancer diagnosis can pose challenges to your body and mind. Throughout the entire cancer continuum, from diagnosis to survivorship, it’s important for you to have a supportive team to help you build strength, increase your energy and restore a sense of trust in your body and its ability to heal and stay healthy. Regular exercise also strengthens your heart, muscles and bones while reducing stress and anxiety.

University of Vermont Health supports all patients with a cancer diagnosis through Steps to Wellness and Steps to Wellness - Prehab, medically informed rehabilitation and group-exercise programs that serve the unique needs of patients across the cancer continuum and patients set to undergo oncologic surgery.

Why Choose UVM Health?

We offer:

Collaborative, coordinated care: You receive care from a multidisciplinary team, led by physical therapists and exercise trainers, informed by your cancer treatment team. As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physician leaders are also active researchers.
Patient-first philosophy: Ensuring your physical and emotional well-being is as important to us as treating cancer. We support and empower cancer survivors through a proven and structured group approach to exercise.
Convenient, accessible expertise: The program is available in-person and online to allow patients to join from the comfort of their own home.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

Individuals with a diagnosis of cancer or a hematologic disorder, at any stage or time frame, are eligible to participate. Your oncology team may refer you to the program, or you may self-refer and contact the program directly.

What to Expect

Steps to Wellness is a 12-week program specifically designed to help participants achieve renewed levels of strength and well-being. It will also provide practical tools to enhance lifelong health benefits.

Steps to Wellness - Prehab is a 4-12 week program for patients that are preparing for surgery.

Evaluation

Prior to beginning the 12-week exercise program, we assess your baseline health and physical fitness with:

One-hour evaluation with a physical therapist

If our team determines that you are not ready to start the group program, you will receive one-on-one physical therapy or other referrals as needed. The Steps to Wellness program is available at no cost, however the initial evaluation will be charged to your insurance.

Program Placement

Once you have completed the intake evaluation and are cleared to participate, you will be assigned a start date based on your availability, preference of in-person or online program and openings in the group. Up to six participants will be placed in each new group.

Orientation

You and your group will complete orientation sessions designed to teach the fundamentals of exercise training. Our certified exercise trainers will safely guide you through each program component to review effective training techniques, assist with equipment recommendations and provide individual exercise modifications as needed to ensure proper form and posture.

Group Exercise

The remainder of your 12-week program will consist of two trainer-led group exercise classes per week. Each class will consist of strength and aerobic training as well as balance, and flexibility exercises.

Consistent attendance is encouraged for optimal program benefits. We also encourage independent exercise on other days of the week.

Online group: Each class is 60 minutes long and held on Zoom.
In-person group: Each class is 75 minutes long and held at the Rehab Therapy Clinic at the O’Brien Community Center in Winooski.

Lifestyle Changes

Establishing life-long healthy habits is important. Many Steps to Wellness participants say that establishing a pattern of regular exercise and other healthy lifestyle behaviors is invigorating and empowering, and has helped them return to the normal routines of daily life.

Steps to Wellness and clinicians from UVM Cancer Center offer educational opportunities and resources to help you identify, establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle. These resources include presentations and services to address many topics, including nutrition, stress management, mindfulness and physical activity.

After completing your 12-week program, you will be encouraged to continue exercising regularly. To assist with this goal, you will be invited to join our group exercise program for program graduates who are interested in continued accountability.