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.
Southeastern Med’s Cancer Program Granted Re-Accreditation
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 6, 2010 – The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has granted a three-year Accreditation with Commendation to the Cancer Program at Southeastern Med.
Southeastern Med received the three-year Accreditation with Commendation following an onsite evaluation by a physician surveyor during which the medical center demonstrated a commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program. The evaluation involved cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement.
“This Accreditation is a huge honor for the medical center and an excellent asset for local cancer patients and their families,” said Michael Sarap, M.D., surgeon with Southeastern Ohio Physicians, Inc. and Southeastern Med medical staff member. ”This award was attained only because of the dedication and teamwork of Southeastern Med physicians and associates caring for cancer patients. CoC Accreditation is the national standard by which the quality of cancer care is measured. Receiving a Commendation implies that the staff at Southeastern Med has gone above and beyond the usual requirements for Accreditation.”
Receiving care at a CoC-approved center cancer program, such as Southeastern Med, ensures that a patient will have access to:
- Comprehensive care, including a range of state-of-the art services and equipment
- A multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options
- Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options
- Access to cancer-related information, education, and support
- A cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results and offers lifelong patient follow up
- Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care
- And most importantly, quality care close to home
Established in 1922 by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive, quality care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and 42 national organizations that reflect the full spectrum of cancer care.
The Accreditation Program, a component of the CoC, sets quality-of-care standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to ensure they conform to those standards. Accreditation by the CoC is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and review of their performance. To maintain accreditation, facilities with CoC-accredited cancer programs must undergo an on-site review every three years.
With Dr. Michael Sarap serving as the CoC Physician Liaison and chairman of Southeastern Med‟s Cancer Program and Becky Wheeler leading the program as a Certified Tumor Registrar, Southeastern Med‟s Cancer Program has achieved national recognition for its efforts involving cancer education and screenings.
In 2006 and 2009, the CoC awarded Dr. Sarap with the National Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding Performance Award for his work with the Southeastern Med‟s Cancer Program.
In 2006, Southeastern Med and the Tina Kiser Colorectal Cancer Coalition launched an aggressive colorectal cancer awareness campaign with the theme “Face the „BEAR‟ Facts…Colon Screenings Save Lives!” in an effort to educate community members about colorectal cancer and the effectiveness of screening procedures. Year round, Southeastern Med encourages those 50 and older to get screened for colorectal cancer. The medical center provides free stool screening kits to test for blood in the privacy in of your own home. Southeastern Med also offers free colonoscopies to those who are uninsured or underinsured.
Through grants from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) and the Columbus Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the medical center provides free or reduced-cost mammograms for area women who are uninsured or underinsured, age 35 and older, and 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.
To learn more about Southeastern Med‟s Screening Mammogram Program or to learn if you qualify for a screening mammogram, call 740-435-2500. To receive more information about colorectal cancer, a free screening kit or to find out if you qualify for a free colonoscopy, call Becky Wheeler, Cancer Registry at Southeastern Med, at 740-439-8156.
Softball Team Donates to Southeastern Med Breast Cancer Tea and Style Show
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Oct. 6, 2010 – The Buckeye Trail 2009-2010 Fast Pitch Softball Team recently donated nearly $834 to Southeastern Med for its continued efforts in the fight against breast cancer. The donation will be used toward Southeastern Med’s 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.
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.
