Taking Steps Toward Diabetes Prevention and Treatment
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Nov. 3, 2010 – November is American Diabetes Month, and to celebrate, the diabetes educators at Southeastern Med will present Celebrate Diabetes and the Holidays on Monday, Nov. 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., in Southeastern Med’s Morrison, Amos and Deddish rooms.
The evening will begin with a Diabetes Fair from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, featuring vendors from diabetes supply companies and area programs and services of interest to people with diabetes. The fair is free and open to the public.
After the fair, join Southeastern Med’s Outpatient Dietitian and Diabetes Educator, Sharon Graff-Harrison, MS, RD, LD, CDE, at Celebrate Diabetes and the Holidays Too to learn how to prepare healthy versions of traditional holiday recipes and sample new recipes.
“Think healthy lifestyle, not restrictions to build a healthier body,” said Graff-Harrison. “Those with diabetes can eat, drink and be merry in appropriate portions and moderate amounts. Although you may have diabetes, everyday can still be a holiday celebration.”
Registration is required for the Celebrate Diabetes and the Holidays Too portion of the evening and participation is limited. For more information or to register, call the Wellness Resources Department at Southeastern Med at 740-435-2946.
Court House Lighting to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 13, 2010 – The bright lights outside the Cambridge Court House will glow pink for a very special Breast Cancer Awareness Month ceremony from Southeastern Med on Monday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. with the lighting ceremony beginning at 6:30. The pink lights will remain lit for the remainder of October.
Along with the pink lights, the ceremony will feature Michael Sarap, M.D., surgeon with Southeastern Ohio Physicians, Inc., and a speech from breast cancersurvivor, Tina Strauff. Information about breast cancer and Southeastern Med’s Power Me Pink program will also be available. The community is asked to participate in the event by wearing pink.
Southeastern Med’s Power Me Pink program provides women who are uninsured and underinsured with breast health education, clinical breast exams, mammograms and additional testing if necessary. The program reaches women 35 years and older who earn between 250-300 percent of the poverty level. The program also reaches women younger than 35 years of age with a family history of breast cancer.
For more information about the ceremony, please call Becky Wheeler, Cancer Registrar at Southeastern Med, at 740-439-8156. To learn more about Southeastern Med’s Screening Mammogram Program or to learn if you qualify for a screening mammogram, call 740-435-2500.
Breast Cancer Survivors Tea and Style Show Will Celebrate Survivors
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 1, 2010 – In honor of area breast cancer survivors, Southeastern Med and the American Cancer Society are sponsoring “It’s all about you!” – the 4th Annual Breast Cancer Tea and Style Show on Sunday, Oct. 17 from 1:45-5 p.m. at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, 7033 Glenn Highway, in Cambridge.
Registered breast cancer survivors received personal invitations in the mail to enjoy a fun, free luncheon and sociable tea party. The atmosphere will be eloquently enhanced as real teapots and individual teacups with saucers adorn linen-covered tables.
Guest speaker at the tea will be Christine Clifford, CSP, President and CEO of The Cancer Club©
Before Christina’s battle with breast cancer, she was the Senior Executive Vice President for The SPAR Group, an international marketing firm in New York. She also was the top salesperson in the multi-billion dollar retail services industry with accounts that included Kmart, Toys ‘R’ Us, Procter & Gamble, AT&T, Mattel Toys and Revlon.
Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 1994, Christine has written five award-winning books about her battle with cancer. Christine is now the President and CEO of The Cancer Club, the world’s largest producer of humorous and helpful products for people with cancer. She owns an anti-aging distributorship, and is CEO of Divorcing Divas, and Christine Clifford Enterprises.
The highlight of the event will be the style show featuring local breast cancer survivors of all ages modeling the latest fashions from area merchants.
In addition to the clothing merchants, other local vendors will be present to display what products they have to help cancer survivors maintain physical and emotional health. Vendors and merchants who will be present at the tea and style show include Braden Medical, Jane Dawson – Braden Medical, Jane Dawson, Aromatherapist, Maurices, Cato, Fashion Bug, N Style, Modern Movements, Shear Dimensions, Jacquelin’s Day Spa, Medi-Wise Pharmacy, American Cancer Society, Myriad Genetics, Southeastern Med’s Lymphedema Program and PNC Bank.
“This is a fun event for our breast cancer survivors,” said Becky Wheeler, Cancer Registrar at Southeastern Med. “We want them to know that support and resources are available, and that their strongest allies are other women who have faced this illness. This will be an afternoon of fun, friendship and fancy food designed especially for breast cancer survivors, their families and their friends.”
Each survivor may bring one guest free of charge and up to two additional guests at the cost of $5.00 each. If you did not receive an invitation and are a breast cancer survivor, you also are invited to attend. Seating is limited and registration is required. To register, call Becky Wheeler at 740-439-8156 no later than October 13.
Southeastern Med Recognizes National Case Management Week October 10-16
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 1, 2010 – Southeastern Med joins the American Case Management Association to recognize case managers during National Case Management Week, October 10-16, for the significant contributions they make to provide patients with quality healthcare.
Case management is an important part of the healthcare system today. Rising healthcare costs and the aging population has resulted in a need for better management of healthcare toward more cost-effective outcomes. Case management professionalsadvocate for the needs of patients, assuring that individual cases are promptly attended to along the healthcare chain.
“Case management is a necessary part of the healthcare system,” said Debbie Goodhart, RN, CCM, case manager at Southeastern Med. “Case managers assist in the financial side of healthcare, but also focus on each patient to meet his or her individual needs. They also coordinate care, make appropriate referrals for care need and provide the patient with community resources, all with the patient’s safety first and foremost.”
At Southeastern Med, Social Services, Utilization Review and Case Management form the Quality Care Management (QCM) Department, which requires a registered nurse and a licensed social worker on each unit of the medical center to provide assessment, referrals and discharge planning to patients. This team also works with third-party payers to ensure patients’ needs are met.
“Our team of case managers work together to make a difference in the lives of our patients,” said Nancy Neff, BSW, LSW, CCM, social worker at Southeastern Med. “We understand that healthcare is ever changing and resources are scarce. We are committed to achieving desirable outcomes for all stakeholders, including our patients, their support systems and the providers and payers alike.”
Because no two patients are alike, case management can be a complex profession. Each case is unique and requires a basic knowledge of individual differences that arise through cultural, socio-economic, ethnic and other factors. Case management professionals look after the health concerns of the most chronically ill and injured patients of all ages, especially members of the aging population who find it continually more difficult to look after themselves.
Case management professionals pay strict attention to a patient’s individual needs and guide patients to follow medication, dietary and exercise recommendations during their period of treatment. This is an ever-challenging process considering numerous individuals may be involved in a single case. Ultimately, case managers have the ability to improve access to care, ensure quality and safety as they design the plan of care to meet the needs of their patients and ensure strategies are in place to contain increasing healthcare costs.
Insulin Pump Therapy: Is It Right for You?
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Sept. 23, 2010 – Jump in the swimming pool, eat at a restaurant and enjoy a good night’s rest without worrying about your blood glucose level or insulin injections with insulin pump therapy. Insulin pump therapy helps make the daily routine of living with diabetes a lot easier and more convenient.
On Oct. 11, join David Whetzel from the Animas Corporation, the insulin pump division of Johnson & Johnson, as he discusses the benefits of insulin pump therapy and breaking away from injections at Community HealthLink, 1205 Clark St., in Cambridge, from 6-7 p.m.
“Injecting insulin multiple times a day can be time consuming and inconvenient,” said Cindy Fisher, RN, BSN, an outpatient diabetes educator at Southeastern Med. “Insulin pump therapy is a great alternative and in many cases, provides improved blood glucose control.”
Southeastern Med and Animas Corporation are both proud sponsors of the event. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 740-435-2946.
