Chronic illnesses don’t take Saturdays off, and neither does the team at the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Infusion Clinic. Patients undergoing a wide range of infusion therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood products, and supportive IV therapy, receive care from a specialized team of advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, and certified clinical medical assistants, not just on weekdays, but on Saturdays, too.
The clinic has experienced a significant increase in the demand for infusion services, reporting a staggering 44 percent rise in patient encounters since 2020. In response to the continued growth, the clinic first expanded its weekday hours to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in May of 2022.
In February 2025, the clinic began offering Saturday services at 50 percent capacity, providing patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses an opportunity to receive vital infusion care over the weekend without disrupting their treatment regimens. Now patients and their families can receive care without disrupting their weekday responsibilities.
The dedicated, multidisciplinary team has played a crucial role in the successful operation of the Saturday clinic. To care for the diverse patient population, APPs in the clinic must complete extensive training, including a three-month orientation where they rotate through clinics focusing on various conditions and shadowing specialized physicians. They learn how to manage a variety of situations, including toxicity checks, procedures such as accessing Hickman Ports, Ommaya reservoirs, and performing bone marrow biopsies. They also spend time at each UAB infusion clinic to familiarize themselves with the unique patient populations and acuity levels at each site.
Once training is complete, specialists operate within a safety coverage model designed to ensure prompt responses to urgent situations. In addition to infusion clinics, APPs manage the Extended Care Clinic, which operates 24/7, triaging and attending to acute illnesses for cancer patients to avoid the emergency department.
“Patients truly value our dedicated care team,” said Ellen Lazarre, APP manager for the Division of Hematology and Oncology and Radiation Oncology. “They’re empathetic and go out of their way to ensure a comfortable experience.”
Cristina Reaves, CRNP, shared that patients have responded positively to Saturday visits. For some, Saturday appointments are convenient and do not disrupt their weekly routines. Others find the calm atmosphere appealing. For everyone, the ability to continue care in a familiar setting and avoid emergency rooms remains the most significant benefit.
Clinic surveys offer additional insight. One patient shared: “First infusion and felt well taken care of! Loved the Saturday option. It was the first Saturday opening for the clinic. Great job! Will return for next infusion and hope to get it scheduled for a Saturday.”
Due to the increasing demand for services and the clinic’s success, the O’Neal Cancer Center Infusion Clinic continues to expand. Recently, the clinic welcomed Meghan Lanzi, CRNP, who completed orientation earlier this month. She is excited to begin serving patients on Saturday.
Hats off to this dedicated team for improving and expanding patient care every day.