Download Winter 2016 | Issue 3 - WellStar Health System

WI N T ER 2016 • IS SU E 3
NEWS
Redeveloped Kennestone Cancer
Center Re-Opens Its Doors:
There is no greater pride than seeing the
successful culmination of a team effort. We are
thrilled to share that the redeveloped Cancer
Survivorship and Support Services building is
now open and supporting the needs of our
patients on the WellStar Kennestone Regional
Medical Center campus. A great deal of
thoughtful planning by a variety of physicians,
nurses and professional staff has gone into the
development of what will be a hub for healing,
providing support to newly diagnosed patients
and their caregivers, and aiding the growing
number of cancer survivors in our community as
they adjust to life after cancer. Our goal for the
redeveloped facility was very simple…provide
an environment that is focused on the needs of
the whole patient; mind, body and spirit. While
the aesthetics of the building are intended to
provide a calming refuge for our patients and
their caregivers, it is the programming that
resides in the facility that will make a difference
in the lives of our friends and neighbors, and
deliver on our promise to our community to
deliver world-class care close to home.
New investments in Integrative Medicine,
including yoga, tai chi and massage, will now
accompany the skilled practitioners from
Buckhead Acupuncture that have been a fixture
of our program for years. The Manning Wellness
Kitchen will support our efforts in nutrition
education, ranging from demonstrations on
continued on page 2 >>
VISION:
TO DELIVER WORLD-CLASS
CANCER CARE.
MISSION:
TO ELIMINATE THE BURDEN
OF CANCER ON OUR
COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING
Michael Andrews, M.D.
Chief Cancer Officer
COMPREHENSIVE
PREVENTION & EARLY
DETECTION, TREATMENT
AND SURVIVORSHIP
PROGRAMS, DELIVERED
IN A PATIENT-CENTERED
ENVIRONMENT BY
IMPASSIONED CAREGIVERS.
Joel Helmke
Vice President,
Oncology Services
THIS
ISSUE
News You Can Use 02
Welcome to the Team 07
Letters of Thanks 07
Awards & Accolades 08
Taking Care of Yourself 10
NEWS YOU
CAN USE
<< continued from cover
lower-calorie cooking techniques, to food
preparation that optimizes nutritional value,
to how to shop “farm-to-table” at our local
farmers markets. The new Patient Resource
Center, which includes a first in the nation
IT collaboration with the American Cancer
Society, will provide access to web-based
cancer information resources, volumes of hard
copy materials on various cancer topics and
provides a serene setting for our patients and
their caregivers to learn about their diagnosis,
treatment options and how to lower their
cancer risk. The Gray Family Chapel will
provide a respite for patients and families who
turn to their higher power for strength during
their journey. This chapel is a living memorial
to Dr. Richard Gray, an oncologist who was
part of the bedrock of this community and who
devoted his life to caring for cancer patients.
Our Nurse Navigation team and Supportive
Care providers will return to a refreshed home,
as will our Genetic Counselors who will have
a new residence in our purpose built Center
for Genetics.
These investments, made possible by the
hard work and generosity of the WellStar
Foundation, will pay dividends for years by
improving the health and well-being of our
community. When coupled with our newly
redesigned Infusion Center and our newly
introduced TomoTherapy® unit in Radiation
Oncology, this campus will continue to support
a level of care that is on par with nationally
recognized cancer programs. What will set us
apart from these programs is that we live in this
community and the patients walking through
those doors are our neighbors, not just a
number.
Open
House
Cancer Center at
WellStar Kennestone Hospital
January 31, 2016 • 2 – 4 p.m.
W I N T ER 2016 • IS SU E 3
02
Kimberly King-Spohn teaches fifth graders
about inherited traits.
Fifth Graders at West
Side Elementary Get
a Lesson in Genetics
Kimberly King-Spohn presented to fifth graders
at West Side Elementary to supplement their
science curriculum on genetics. They were
entertained by rolling their tongues (or not)
and looking at each other’s attached and
unattached earlobes to see what they had
inherited genetically from their parents.
Paulding Offering a New
Cancer Support Group
WellStar Paulding Hospital has a new Cancer
Support Group which meets the second
Tuesday of each month from 7-8 p.m. in the
Atrium Conference Room on the second floor
(use Blue parking). This support group is open
to everyone and there is no charge to attend.
Please call the Pastoral Care office to register
at 470-644-7107.
Corgan Memorial Lecture
The Corgan Memorial Lecture was created as a
tribute to Dr. Kristin Corgan, a breast surgeon who
was very involved with cancer care at WellStar.
The first annual Corgan Memorial Lecture was
held in the Kennestone Auditorium on Thursday,
October 15, 2015. Dr. Fabian gave a warm
welcome and introduction for Dr. Shawna Willey,
MD, vice chairman for clinical affairs for the
Department of Surgery at Georgetown University
Hospital, and a colleague of Dr. Corgan. Dr. Willey
gave a very enlightening presentation “Breast
Cancer Surgery. What’s New? What’s Not?”
More than 100 physicians, nurses, healthcare
staff and community members were in attendance.
Physicians received 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1
Credit(s)™ and nurses received 1.0 Contact Hours.
WellStar Cancer Network hosted a reception
in the recently renovated Welcome Center in
(L-R): Mark McLaughlin, M.D., Sheree Brown, M.D.
with Shawna Willey, M.D., of Georgetown University
Hospital
the Kennestone Cancer Center immediately
following the lecture. Friends and colleagues
gathered to enjoy refreshments and meet with
Dr. Willey.
CyberKnife® Patient
from the United Kingdom
Visits Dr. McLaughlin
When Jane Hollywood was diagnosed with
advanced, recurrent breast cancer, doctors in
her hometown of Pwllheli, Wales determined
that the cancer was inoperable and that
traditional radiation was impossible due to
prior radiation treatment for breast cancer.
(L-R): Mark McLaughlin, M.D. and Jane Hollywood
Hollywood searched online for alternatives and
found Dr. Mark McLaughlin, medical director
of radiation oncology for WellStar and his work
with CyberKnife®. In 2009, she came to Atlanta
to receive treatment, which was a success. She
came back to visit Dr. McLaughlin and team
in September during a follow-up appointment
and left with a clean bill of health!
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WI N T E R 2 0 1 6 • IS S U E 3
NEWS YOU
CAN USE
A Personal Account
of the Komen 3-Day
My name is Haylee Huff and I work at WellStar
Paulding Hospital Administration. This was
my second year walking the 3-Day. I walked
in 2013 for a girlfriend of mine who had been
diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double
mastectomy at the age of 36, so it made the
decision to walk an easy one. This year I walked
because my nine-year-old daughter, Chloe,
asked me if I would walk again. I enjoy walking,
meeting new people and hearing their stories,
so I decided to go for it.
DAY 1: We had the opening ceremony,
listened to the stories - very sad and uplifting at
the same time. I walked with one of the guys on
my team most of the day. He had never walked
before and had lost his dad to cancer that year.
We talked about our lives and finished the long
day together supporting each other.
DAY 2: I met a father who brought tears to
my eyes. He walked in front of me most of the
W I N T ER 2016 • IS SU E 3
04
morning with a backpack with two pictures of
his wife and girls. One was taken before she was
diagnosed and the other when she was going
through her treatment. She died from breast
cancer that year very quickly. It was so overwhelming to think because she was young - she
was my age. By the end of the day, we all had
battle wounds - blistered feet and sore knees,
but we doctored ourselves up that night ready
for Day 3.
DAY 3: Started out tough, but someone had
once told me, “Chemo is tough and you can’t
quit, you just get through it,” so that is what I
did. That afternoon I walked alone and enjoyed
the cheering station, crowds, and the scenery.
I finished quickly and sat with my family cheering
walkers as they finished. We waited for the rest
of our team so we could walk across the finish
line together, which was a very emotional time
for all of us. We all cried as we crossed holding
hands because we finished - together we
walked 60 miles. As hard as the walk is, cancer
is so much harder. Together my team Save the
Pickles raised $16,000 for Susan G. Komen.
(Opposite Page): WellStar Cancer Network team at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on October 31 at
Jim Miller Park. (Top left, clockwise): The Genetic Counseling team at the WellStar Girls’ Night Out event at
Town Center Mall; WellStar Cancer Network team at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on October 31
at Jim Miller Park; Michelle Guibault, Barb Wilson, Sara Owen and Lisa Sherman cheer on participants in
the Atlanta 2-Day; Personal Account of Komen 3-Day photo.
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WI N T E R 2 0 1 6 • IS S U E 3
NEWS YOU
CAN USE
(Clockwise, top left): Michael
Andrews, M.D. with two prostate
cancer survivors; Justin Watson,
M.D. and Justin Hart, M.D. pose
with the blue ribbon cake; Prostate
Cancer Survivors’ event attendees
Prostate Cancer Survivors’ Celebration
September 24, 2015 marked the third annual
Prostate Cancer Survivors’ celebration at
WellStar. It was held in the recently renovated
Kennestone Cancer Center Welcome Center
and the adjacent Garden of Courage. The
event was attended by survivors and their
guests along with physicians, Cancer Support
Services employees and team members from
radiation oncology. Guests were treated to a
catered dinner and Dr. Justin Hart even donated
W I N T ER 2016 • IS SU E 3
06
a delicious cake. Most of the attendees were
members of the robust Prostate Support Group
that meets monthly at the Kennestone Cancer
Center.
The Support Group meets the second Thursday
of every month from 7-8 p.m. and is a great
resource for patients who want to get information
on different prostate treatments from people
who have been through treatment already.
WELCOME
TO THE TEAM
LETTERS OF
THANKS
Join us in extending a
warm welcome to our
new team members:
“Thanks to each of you for making a difficult
situation a time of peace. All of the staff is
such a pleasure to work with and made me
feel comfortable and loved. God bless you.”
“I want to thank you for taking such good
care of my husband. The work that you
do and the way you care for your patients
makes an enormous difference in their lives
and in a family’s life. You are all amazing and
truly special. Thank you so much.”
“I want to thank the entire staff for the
outstanding care I was given during the four
weeks of treatment. The pleasant smiles and
warm welcome each morning gave me the
spirit and energy that I needed.”
Tamia Banks, R.T.(T)(R)
Radiation Therapist
Lauren Nelson, R.T.(T)
Radiation Therapist
Kathy Croft
Billing Specialist
Jocelyn Torres RT(R)(T)
Radiation Therapist
at Paulding Radiation
Oncology
“I cannot believe it has been 34 treatments
already. I remember when I started and
thought it would take FOREVER! I honestly
don’t know what to say. You guys have
shown so much compassion for me and
I know you do for every patient you see,
because I have seen it firsthand.”
“Thank you for the wonderful care you
gave me during my radiation treatment. I
was scared and nervous and everyone was
so kind, understanding, encouraging and
compassionate. You all got me through this
very difficult time. I am forever grateful to
each and every one of you.”
“Words could never come close to truly
expressing the gratefulness my family has
for you all! The compassion and love you all
have shown is much more than just a part
of your job. It is who each of you are! God
has blessed you with those qualities to bless
others in their weakest moments in life!”
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WI N T E R 2 0 1 6 • IS S U E 3
AWARDS &
ACCOLADES
WellStar Cancer Network
Recognized for Community Service
Congratulations to the WellStar Cancer
Network for being recognized as one of the ten
2015 Sam Olens Business Community Service
Awards winners. The awards, presented by the
Cobb Chamber and Georgia Trend magazine,
recognize deserving member businesses for
service to the community through support of
not-for-profit organizations. Thank you to the
American Cancer Society for our nomination.
(L-R): Sam Olens, Attorney General of Georgia; Kim Menefee, WellStar SVP of Strategic Community Development;
Neely Young, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Georgia Trend magazine; Joel Helmke, WellStar VP of Oncology Services;
Lisa Mello, ACS senior manager of hospital systems; Lindsi Pearson, ACS senior director of community engagement
Barb Wilson
- Contributing Author
Shining Star Award
Barbara Wilson is a contributing author for the
2015 Oncology Nursing Society Publication
Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Case Studies.
She wrote two case studies: Myelosuppression
and Renal Toxicity.
Congratulations to Allison Brown (front row on right),
a Radiation Therapist at Paulding Radiation Oncology
who recently received a Paulding Shining Star award.
W I N T ER 2016 • IS SU E 3
08
AWARDS &
ACCOLADES
<<continued
Foundation
Caregiver Award
Barb Wilson, director of professional oncology practice was
honored by a patient’s family for going above and beyond
to help care for their mother in her time of need.
Interested in
Being a Speaker?
WellStar’s Community Education and Outreach
Department is always looking for volunteers
to speak publicly on cancer-related topics.
If you’re interested in participating, contact
Barb Wilson, MS, RN, AOCN, ACNS-BC,
Director of Oncology Professional Practice,
at [email protected].
New Degree
Congratulations to
Gigi Bellamy on earning
a BSN degree from the
State University of West
Georgia.
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WI N T E R 2 0 1 6 • IS S U E 3
TAKING CARE
OF YOURSELF
Could it be more
than just the
Winter Blues?
As winter approaches with shorter days and
colder temperatures, many people experience
a dip in mood and energy, otherwise known
as the “winter blues.” Usually, this is a normal
response to the change of seasons. Over time,
most people that experience the blues are able
to bounce back. Sometimes, these feelings may
be a sign of something more serious.
Formerly known as Seasonal Affective Disorder,
Major Depressive Disorder with a seasonal
pattern is a type of depression that occurs with
a change of seasons, typically as fall transitions
W I N T ER 2016 • IS SU E 3
10
Jennifer Kilkus, Ph.D
into winter. Symptoms of this type of depression
have a great deal of overlap with what is typically
thought of as depression, such as fatigue,
persistent sadness, loss of interest in previously
enjoyed activities, trouble sleeping (too much
or too little), irritability and weight gain. With
seasonal depression, these symptoms go away
when spring begins. If your “winter blues” are
interfering with your work, home life, or hobbies,
or have gone on for two winters or more, it may
be time to get some help.
Tips to manage
seasonal depression:
•Get as much daylight as possible.
Sit by a window or go for a walk during
daylight hours. Some people may also benefit
from light therapy, or phototherapy, a special
light therapy box that emits bright light that
mimics daylight.
•Spend time with family and friends.
Isolating from loved ones is usually a sign we
need them more than ever. Social isolation
feeds on itself. The less time you spend with
others, the less you want to, which can
eventually seriously impact mood. Go ice
skating, host a pot luck, or have hot chocolate
and play board games with friends and family.
•Stay active.
Don’t spend the entire winter in your house!
Explore your community, volunteer, join a
local club, exercise regularly. If you know
you get seasonal depression every year,
make a schedule in advance to ensure you
are staying busy.
•Seek professional help.
If these strategies don’t help, if your
depression lasts beyond the winter, or if
you are having thoughts of death or suicide,
connect with a mental health professional.
A counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist
can help you determine what types of
therapy could be helpful or if an antidepressant
medication could be beneficial.
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WI N T E R 2 0 1 6 • IS S U E 3
WELLSTAR
CANCER NETWORK
D E PA RT M ENT DI RECTORY
KENNESTONE
Imaging......................... 470-793-0060
Infusion.......................... 770-793-7518
IP Blue Main.................. 470-793-4162
IP Medical Imaging....... 770-793-5556
Lung Screening............. 470-793-4247
Rad Onc......................... 770-793-7500
Scheduling..................... 678-581-5900
STAT............................... 770-793-7440
PAULDING
Rad Onc......................... 470-644-8160
Imaging......................... 470-644-8060
Infusion.......................... 470-644-7235
IP................................... 470-644-7048
Call the WellStar Cancer
Connect Line at 877-366-6032
to refer a patient to one of
our multidisciplinary programs
(options 1-4), Center for Genetics
(option 5) or supportive care
professionals (option 0).
Contact
Us
COBB
CT/MRI.......................... 470-732-1515
Diagnostic..................... 470-732-3526
Imaging......................... 470-732-3551
Infusion.......................... 770-732-4330
IP .................................. 770-732-4660
Manager........................ 470-732-5672
NM................................ 470-732-3513
Rad Onc......................... 770-948-6000
STAT............................... 470-732-4816
DOUGLAS
Imaging......................... 678-715-6601
Infusion.......................... 678-715-6860
STAT............................... 678-715-6613
WINDY HILL
Imaging......................... 770-644-1240
Surgery Center.............. 770-644-1284
WellStar Cancer Network News is published
quarterly. Please submit content for future issues
to [email protected]. When
submitting employee names, please include their
credentials, title and department. Anyone other
than team members featured in photos must
sign a consent form, and these can be obtained
by emailing [email protected].
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