Women’s Health Event at Northeast YMCA
University of Louisville Hospital|James Graham Brown Cancer Center is hosting two women’s health events on May 29th at the Northeast YMCA. Both are open to all, regardless of YMCA membership.
Drs. Lynn Parker and Daniel Metzinger, from JGBCC’s Gynecologic Oncology Clinic, will be on hand to educate participants about preventive health measures, risks and treatment options for some common health conditions. The program is in partnership with da Vinci® Surgery and the U.S. Office on Women’s Health. Click here to view .pdf file for more information.
Cathy Velasquez First in Nursing Department to Earn a DNP
A big congratulations goes out to our Nursing Professional Development Coordinator Cathern Velasquez, DNP, RN, CPHM!
She recently completed coursework at Regis University and has been granted a Doctorate in Nursing Practice: Advanced Leadership in Healthcare. Cathy is our first Nursing Department DNP.
Way to go, Cathy!
Hear the Patient Story: Reggie’s Battle with Osteosarcoma
In July 2008, Reggie began experiencing a pain in his face. He didn’t think much of it, and mistakenly attributed the pain to his teeth. After his dentist prescribed antibiotics and performed multiple tests, Reggie received the news none of us can prepare for: the pain in his jaw was ostosarcoma, an aggressive form of bone cancer.
Despite the initial shock of his condition, Reggie knew he wanted to beat his cancer.
That’s why he sought treatment from the Head and Neck Multidisciplinary team at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
Despite his confidence in choosing the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Reggie worried about what lay ahead. During his first appointment with the multidisciplinary team, Reggie was examined by each of the specialists. Then, the team came together to develop the individual course of care that would give Reggie the greatest chance at recovery and remission. His cancer was aggressive, and his treatment had to be just as aggressive.
Reggie and the team decided that surgery was the answer. The physicians, surgeons, and specialists all took the time to sit down with Reggie and explain not just what, but how, they were going to repair his jaw and his recovery following the surgery.
“They were able to specifically tell me what they were going to do,” Reggie said. “(They explained) how long it would take and how I would feel pre- and post-treatment. They were just fantastic in everything they were able to provide to me in that first multidisciplinary program meeting.”
With the support of his family and the physicians at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Reggie now has a new lease on life. Today Reggie has a full, active life, helping others realize they, too, can beat the odds.
“Now, I’m willing to live life without a lot of restraint,” Reggie says. “People say that when you beat cancer…you look at life differently. You take the time to really appreciate what’s around you. I’m still the same person. I’m just being repaired right now.”
Continue reading next week to learn more about the advances of the Head and Neck multidisciplinary cancer team, or read the team’s entire story by reading our previous blogs about our Family of Physicians, Continuous Improvement, Research and Treatment, and Multidisciplinary Care Program.
‘Hero Mom’ & Former Patient Stephanie Decker Shines on ‘Today’ Show
This morning, one of our former trauma patients appeared on the ‘Today’ show with her family.
‘Hero Mom’ and tornado survivor Stephanie Decker was in the national spotlight with her husband Joe and children Reese and Dominic for a special Mothers’ Day tribute!
She saved her children’s lives from a deadly March 2 tornado, but lost her legs due to the ordeal. She has credited University of Louisville Hospital’s trauma team – led by trauma surgeon Dr. Jason Smith on that day – with saving her life.
Click their picture below to read more about their big New York City Adventure!
Hero Mom Stephanie Decker poses in this photo that was shown on the 'Today' show. It was taken by photographer Nigel Barker of "America's Next Top Model."
Art to Beat Cancer Sale to Benefit the JGBCC
Artist Doyle Glass is generously selling his beautiful paintings for the benefit of the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
The new paintings posted below represent part of an upcoming 50 small painting show and sale. You may purchase any of these new paintings for $175 each. ALL of the proceeds of the sale will benefit the Brown Cancer Center.
For more information, visit Art to beat Cancer facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/doyleglassfineart
Reetta Stikes to serve as STTI Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy Fellow
Congratulations go to Reetta Stikes, MSN, RNC-NIC, CLC. She is an Advanced Practice Educator with our Center for Women and Infants here at University of Louisville Hospital!
She has been accepted as a fellow into the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy. STTI is the Honor Society of Nursing.
In addition, as part of University Hospital’s nursing program’s collaboration with the University of Louisville School of Nursing, M. Cynthia Logsdon, PhD, APRN, FAAN will serve as Reetta’s mentor.
To learn more about this honor for the two, please click here.
Congratulations go to both Reetta and Dr. Logsdon!
Grateful Cancer, Stroke, Obstetrics and Trauma Patients Smile for the Camera
Last week five wonderful patients of University of Louisville Hospital|James Graham Brown Cancer Center met at a studio in Louisville to take part in an upcoming marketing campaign.
They received obstetric, cancer, stroke and trauma services – but all experienced excellent patient- and family-centered care.
The details of the new campaign are still under wraps, but we couldn’t sit on these beautiful shots any longer!
Thank you to Stacy King, Dr. Olajide Ologuntoye (Dr. O), Jessica Rizzo, Trent Waggoner and Kiandra Wilson for sharing your time, your energy and your stories with us! Thanks also to Dr. Glen Franklin, who was able to join in the fun!
Radiant Stacy King drives more than three hours for her treatment at the Brown Cancer Center, and stayed to share her remarkable story with us.
Trent Waggoner and Dr. Glen Franklin have a laugh with photographer Pat Pfister on set.
Jessica Rizzo, who also served as this year's Survivor Ambassador for The Julep, smiles beautifully for the camera!
Dr. Ologuntoye, better known as "Dr. O," shares his amazing doctor-becomes-patient story.
Brand new mom Kiandra Wilson (with her beautiful baby) praised the care and education she received at University Hospital's Center for Women and Infants.
Preventing Pre-Term Births: What You Can Do
By Libby Smith, Director of Center for Women and Infants, University Hospital
In the United States, one of every eight babies is born prematurely. Every year, more than half a million babies are born too soon in the United States. Our country’s premature birth rate has risen by 36 percent over the last 25 years. That’s serious cause for concern.
Premature birth is the number 1 killer of newborns, and costs society more than $26 billion a year and takes a high toll on families. Babies born even just a few weeks early are at risk of severe health problems and lifelong disabilities.
When women ask me, ‘how can I prevent pre-term birth?’ my answer is:
Control those factors that you can control:
- Quit smoking
- Don’t use recreational drugs
- Get prenatal care
- And, if you are in a violent home situation , get out and get help!
Much of the case for preterm birth is out of our control – so it is essential that we control the factors that we can!
Some studies have found that certain lifestyle factors may put a woman at greater risk of preterm labor. These factors include:
- Late or no prenatal care
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Using illegal drugs
- Exposure to the medication DES
- Domestic violence, including physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- Lack of social support
- Extremely high levels of stress
- Long working hours with long periods of standing
- Exposure to certain environmental pollutants
Certain medical conditions during pregnancy may increase the likelihood that a woman will have preterm labor. These conditions include:
- Diabetes
- Infections (urinary, vaginal, sexually transmitted; possibly others)
- High blood pressure and pre-eclampsia
- Clotting disorders (thrombophilia)
- Bleeding from the vagina
- Certain birth defects in the baby
- Being pregnant with a single fetus after in-vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Being underweight before pregnancy
- Obesity
- Short time period between pregnancies (less than 6 to9 months between birth and the beginning of the next pregnancy)
Medical researchers also have identified certain groups of women who are at increased risk of having a premature baby.
These groups include:
- African-American women
- Women younger than 17 and older than 35
- Women who have a low income
Experts do not fully understand why and how these particular factors increase the risk that a woman will have preterm labor or birth. For more information about preventing pre-term births, visit the March of Dimes website.
On Saturday, May 12, University Hospital nurses and staff from The Center for Women and Infants will be participating in the March of Dimes’ March for Babies Walk. Walkers have solicited donations for the walk, which helps to raise funds for the prevention of pre-term babies.
The walk begins at 8:30 a.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. To walk or contribute, please contact Pauline Hayes, NICU Clinical Manager, at 562.4099 or via email at paulinha@ulh.org.
To Our Family of Physicians, Cancer Treatment Isn’t Just a Job…It’s a Calling
At the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, we’re more than a team. We’re a family.
And as a family, we support each other. We share a common trust, dedication, and commitment that guide us in our mission to end cancer. Thankfully, it has also helped us become a national leader in cancer treatment and research.
“My favorite part of my job are my patients,” Dr. Bumpous said.
“Even though you can’t save everyone, you can help everyone. That brings me a lot of satisfaction.”
We have made the James Graham Brown Cancer Center a place where patients receive the most compassionate and comprehensive cancer care available anywhere in the world. Our family of physicians works together to give you the best chance of survival, and the best quality of life during, and after, your time in our care. During your time with us, we guide your through your treatment process and provide the support you and your family needs during your cancer care.
Every member of our team is passionate about providing world-class cancer care. And while treating and researching cancer can be a daunting and challenging task, to our physicians, the rewards are greater. Working at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center is more than a job. It’s a calling.
“It’s nice to get paid for your job,” Dr. Jeffrey Bumpous, leader of the Head and Neck cancer team, said. “But I’d probably do it even if I didn’t. I think this is really my calling, and being able to work here has been really special.”
What is most evident about our team, though, is our passion for our patients. From the moment you enter our doors, you become part of our family, too. During your time with us, we guide you through your treatment process and provide the support you and your family needs during your cancer care.
We invite you to become part of the Brown Cancer Center family. Continue reading over the coming weeks to hear about the full patient experience from everyone involved.
Stephanie Decker to Appear on Today Show
Stephanie and Joe Decker were celebrity guests at the 2012 Julep gala, which benefited the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.
Stephanie Decker, hero mom, tornado survivor and former University of Louisville Hospital patient, will appear on the Today Show Friday, May 11, 2012.
Matt Lauer will honor Stephanie as part of a special Mothers Day segment, because of her bravery and selfless dedication to her children during the tornadoes on March 2, 2012. She lost both her legs while sheltering her children from falling debris.
Stephanie will be joined on Today by her children, Reece and Dominic, and her husband Joe. The family will also be enjoying a few days together in New York City prior to the show.
Just before heading to New York, Stephanie & Joe, we’re honored guests at The Julep, celebrating the Kentucky Derby and benefiting the James Graham Brown Cancer Center. Stephanie received a standing ovation from the crowd of 1,000 people.
Stephanie’s on-going support of the 90/120 Fund (ninety patients/one hundred twenty minutes) continues to benefit other tornado survivors treated at University of Louisville Hospital.
Thank you Stephanie and good luck in NY!
