Anyone who has been a patient or caretaker knows that it takes more than skilled doctors and the right treatment to beat cancer.

Logistical and emotional support is also an essential part of the recovery formula, but it can be hard for practitioners to know what types of support patients need.

Over the last year, teams of University of Georgia students brought together by the Terry College of Business Office of Professional and Community Engagement worked with leaders at the City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center in Atlanta to help ensure every patient has the support they need.

“One the biggest takeaways from this experience was realizing that cancer care extends far beyond clinical care,” said Alina Abraham, a senior economics and psychology student who worked on the City of Hope project. “Mental health support, early intervention and access to the right resources can significantly impact shape a patient’s ability to heal and recover.”

The project was facilitated by Randy Groomes, director of Terry’s Office of Professional and Community Engagement, and the administrators at City of Hope.

“I am pleased to partner with a great organization like City of Hope to provide our students with such a great applied learning project,” Groomes said. “I look forward to showcasing the excellent work our students can do for other companies.”

During this project, one team — including regenerative bioscience and entrepreneurship senior Harshil Joshi, economics and regenerative bioscience sophomore Aniket Talanki and Connor Matthias, a management and public health junior — worked directly with clinicians and administrators at City of Hope to link data on patients’ access to proper nutrition, financial stress, family support and transportation with their outcomes.

 The second team — including Abraham, psychology and neuroscience senior Ganiv Tuteja and May 2026 MIS graduate Mia Townsend — worked with hospital leaders to link outcomes with underlying mental health conditions and treatment.

At the end of the spring semester the students presented their data analysis to executives at the hospital and provided them with dashboards demonstrating their findings.

“The professionalism and quality of the work were truly impressive and reflects both your dedication and the strength of your program,” Dr. Daniel Kellman, City of Hope’s director of the supportive services, told the students after their presentations.  “While this marks the culmination of eight months of effort, I know it’s also just the beginning of great things ahead.”