Archive for the ‘John B. Amos Cancer Center’ Category

The John B. Amos Cancer Center continues to advance cancer treatment for our region with the addition of three new physicians. John L. Currie, M.D., is the new director of Women’s Health Services at the Cancer Center. Woodrow W. McWilliams III, M.D., is a radiation oncologist and John R. Pawloski, M.D., Ph.D., is a hematologist.

“The new physicians at the John B. Amos Cancer Center bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to us and are all dedicated to further developing our comprehensive Cancer Center so patients in this region can face their future with confidence and optimism,” said Kevin Sass, Senior Executive Officer at Doctors Hospital, who oversees the Cancer Center. “We are excited to have all three of these respected physicians at the Cancer Center.”

 John L. Currie, M.D.

Dr. Currie is a veteran gynecological oncologist who has held numerous positions in both medical and academic settings. His past principal positions include director of gynecologic oncology at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn. and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Connecticut School of Medicine in Farmington.

He has also served on the faculty at the University of North Carolina and was faculty fellow at Duke University, professor at Vanderbilt University, division chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and a professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, N.H. Dr. Currie is also an attorney in Hanover, N.H. having received his law degree in 2001 from Vermont Law School

Dr. Currie received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and his MD from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. He completed an internship in surgery and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He also completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Duke University Medical Center.

He is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society of Gynecologic Oncologists. He served as president of the American Association for Cancer Education in 1994.

“It is a pleasure to be at the John B. Amos Cancer Center and bring gynecologic oncology back to the center,” Dr. Currie said. “Although I was planning to retire to the hills of North Carolina, the opportunity to build a needed service in the Columbus area was enticing enough to keep working. The facility and faculty are outstanding, and I look forward to recruiting another gynecologic oncologist to meet the growing needs of women with cancer.”.  

 Woodrow W. McWilliams III, M.D.

Dr. McWilliams is no stranger to Columbus and The Medical Center. He is a graduate of Spencer High School and returns to Columbus after receiving his undergraduate degree at Paine College in Augusta, Ga. and his medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. His internship in general surgery was completed at Morehouse and his residency in radiation oncology was completed at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He also spent a year as a transitional year resident with The Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. McWilliams was a principal investigator for Novum Pharmaceutical Research Services while completing his residency at Allegheny General Hospital.

Previously, he was medical director of Emergency Medical Services in Talbot County, Ga.; a physician with Columbus Medical Associates; and a physician coordinator associated with the West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition. He completed oncology clinical research at the John B. Amos Cancer Center in 2004-2005 and has extensive research experience at the National Center for Infectious Disease in Atlanta, the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. 

He is a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American College of Radiology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. McWilliams is excited to join the team “Returning home to work at the Cancer Center and to provide quality cancer care in my community is a dream realized,” he said.

 John R. Pawloski, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Pawloski comes to the Cancer Center from Pittsburgh, Pa. where he was Chief of Hematology at Allegheny General Hospital, and associate professor of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. He was also the director of Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Anticoagulation Services at Allegheny General Hospital.

Dr. Pawloski received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan–Flint, and his M.D. and Ph.D. from the physician-scientist program at the St. Louis University School of Medicine. He then completed post-graduate training as an intern, resident, and clinical-investigator fellow in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship in hematology, at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Pawloski subsequently served for six years as an assistant professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology at Duke University Medical Center, where he was the principle investigator on multiple research grants. His work in nitric oxide biology has been published in such influential journals as The New England Journal of Medicine, Nature and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He is board certified in internal medicine and hematology and is especially interested in leukemia and lymphoma, benign blood disorders and the coagulopathies.

Dr. Pawloski has made many media appearances and authored numerous book chapters and articles in the area of hematology such as molecular hematology and sickle cell disease.

He is a member of the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

“I joined the John B. Amos Cancer Center because it is an ascendant hematology-oncology program, with a progressive and forward-looking strategy to bring evidence-based, technologically advanced, and compassionate healthcare to the people of the Columbus region,” he said, then added, “I also like the southern Georgia weather.”

Larry Sanders (Columbus Regional Chairman and CEO), Susan McRae (Radiology Supervisor, Radiology, Doctors Hospital), Beth Bussey (Clinical Nutrition Specialist, Oncology Outreach, John B. Amos Cancer Center), Patricia Alexander (Registrar, Admissions/Registration, Hughston Hospital), Carolyn Chaney (Clinical Coordinator, 7 Main, The Medical Center) and Bobbie Newsome (Pharmacy Technician Senior, Outpatient Pharmacy, The Medical Center).

The announcement of five Columbus Regional Healthcare recipients of the Chairman’s Award of Excellence highlighted an event-filled Employee Appreciation Week last month.

The employees were selected from the monthly “I Make the Difference!” honorees from May 2009–April 2010 for exemplary performance and exceptional customer service.

The recognition luncheon on May 13 at the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center was attended by the past year’s honorees along with alumni of the distinguished employee award.

Larry Sanders, chairman and CEO of Columbus Regional, presented the five honorees with a framed resolution from the Columbus Regional board of directors, a heart-shaped Frabel glass sculpture, and a check for $1,000.

A full-page ad ran in the Sunday, May 16 issue of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that recognized the award recipients and honorees from the past year.

The guest speaker for the luncheon was comedian Kent Rader.

About the 2010 Chairman’s Award of Excellence Recipients

• Patricia Alexander (Registrar, Admissions/Registration, Hughston Hospital): Patricia’s face is one of the many stellar images of Hughston Hospital, and her style and grace epitomize all that it represents. She quickly puts patients and family members at ease and reassures them they are in a special place. Her friendliness is contagious, and she is a wonderful ambassador for the hospital.

• Beth Bussey (Clinical Nutrition Specialist, Oncology Outreach, John B. Amos Cancer Center): Beth has an incredible passion for the work that she does. She is an outstanding practitioner who is dedicated to the success and development of all employees. Her energy, creativity, commitment and desire for quality of care and life for her patients are endless.

• Carolyn Chaney (Clinical Coordinator, 7 Main, The Medical Center): Carolyn has mentored and guided multiple generations of new graduate nurses to become excellent nurses. She is sought for her clinical knowledge, expertise and guidance by physicians, co-workers and students. She makes all patients feel secure because of the confidence and competence she exudes.

• Susan McRae (Radiology Supervisor, Radiology, Doctors Hospital): Susan epitomizes commitment, service and loyalty to Doctors Hospital. She is a faithful and dedicated employee who serves the organization in any capacity possible to make it a better place. She delivers personal care, comfort and reassurance to her patients and their family members as if they were her own family.

• Bobbie Newsome (Pharmacy Technician Senior, Outpatient Pharmacy, The Medical Center): Bobbie is humble, honest and sincere and not only accomplishes what is required, but also always goes the extra mile. Her broad knowledge of all areas of the Pharmacy has made her the “right hand” to pharmacists and managers. Bobbie is that very special employee you can trust and depend upon.

At the April 16 check presentation at Cooper Creek were, from left, Larry Sanders (Columbus Regional chairman and CEO), Dr. Andrew Pippas (medical director of the John B. Amos Cancer Center), Helen Johnson (group vice president of Community Development, Columbus Bank and Trust Company), and Tom Titus (Columbus Regional senior vice president). In the background is Henry Swift (Steering and Tennis Committees member and chair of External Sales).

The Columbus Regional Medical Foundation’s 2010 Celebrity Classic raised a record-breaking $315,000 this year.

This tremendous outpouring of community support benefits the John B. Amos Cancer Center.

The Celebrity Classic featured cycling, tennis,  golf and running events during the weekend of April 16–19, as well as biking events on May 2.

Supported once again by a dedicated group of corporate sponsors, individual donors and volunteers, this year’s classic included:

• 150 tennis players
• 700 runners
• 250 golfers representing a long list of sponsors
• 168 cyclists

Synovus Financial Corp. was the Celebrity Classic’s presenting sponsor.

The Events

• Tennis: An adult tennis clinic and tournament was held at Cooper Creek Park on Friday, May 16, and a junior tennis clinic was held on Saturday, May 17. Peter Burwash International supplied tennis pros from all over the world.

• Running: A 5K/10K run was held at the National Infantry Museum on Saturday, May 17.

• Golf: A junior golf clinic was held at Godwin Creek Golf Course on Sunday, May 18, and a golf tournament was held at Green Island Country Clubon Monday, May 19.

• Cycling: The Wheels to Heal biking event was held on Sunday, May 2.

This year, former Wimbledon champion Stan Smith was featured at the tennis event, and golf trick shot artist Kevin Compare—also known as Divot the Clown—was featured at the golf tournament and junior golf clinic.

The Medical Center Auxiliary recently celebrated its 47th birthday by giving $133,000 of financial gifts to several groups during birthday celebrations at the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center earlier this month.

Ruby Jackson presents Lance Duke with a birthday box filled with the names of those receiving financial gifts from the Auxiliary.

Auxiliary President Ruby Jackson made check presentations to Lance Duke, The Medical Center president and CEO, who received the gifts on behalf of the:

• Bunch McClellan Nursing Scholarship
• Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center
• John B. Amos Cancer Center
• Mary Ann Pease Healthcare Scholarship Fund
• The Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Over the past 47 years, The Medical Center Auxiliary’s financial contributions—which benefit the Columbus, GA community—have exceeded $4.4 million through various fundraising efforts.

The John B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus, Georgia has been granted three-year accreditation with commendation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS).

Accreditation by the CoC is given only to those cancer 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.

The Cancer Center received the accreditation following the on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor of the full scope of the cancer program, including:

• Cancer Committee Leadership
• Cancer Data Management
• Clinical Services
• Community Outreach
• Quality Improvement
• Research

Quick Facts About Cancer

• The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1.4 million cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2009.

• There are currently more than 1,400 CoC-accredited cancer programs in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, representing close to 25 percent of all hospitals.

• Of those hospitals, 25 percent of hospitals diagnose and/or treat 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.

Dr. Andrew W. Pippas is the medical director and director of Clinical Oncology Research at the John B. Amos Cancer Center.

Congratulations to Andrew W. Pippas, M.D., medical director and director of Clinical Oncology Research at the John B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus, Georgia, who was recently named a Distinguished Cancer Scholar by the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

The honor comes with a $500,000 grant to support clinical research efforts at the John B. Amos Cancer Center.

The research dollars will be used to enhance the existing clinical trials program, with an emphasis on gastrointestinal malignancies.

Currently, there are approximately 48 open clinical trials at the John B. Amos Cancer Center, in areas including:

• Brain Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Head/Neck Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung Cancer
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Ovarian Cancer
• Prostate Cancer

Funds also will be used to expand the multidisciplinary programs that enable patients to see all their physicians and clinical teams during one visit in one location, rather than multiple visits to multiple locations.

Quick Facts About Dr. Andrew Pippas

• Earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.

• Completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at the Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.

• Is a board-certified medical oncologist.

• Is a recipient of the National Institutes of Health (NiH) Physician Scientist Award.

• Is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.

Kevin Sass (SEO of Doctors Hospital), Denise Dowdy (community manager of ACS), Georgette Porter (state president of the American Cancer Society) Dr. Andrew Pippas (medical director the John B. Amos Cancer Center), Dr. Douglas Ciuba (medical director of Radiation Oncology at the Cancer Center) and Matt Sherer (administrative director of the Cancer Center).

The American Cancer Society recently bestowed its Visionary Award to the John B. Amos Cancer Center for its sponsorship of fundraising and awareness events, including:

• Crystal Ball (presenting sponsor)
• Golf Tournament (bronze sponsor)
• Relay for Life (bronze sponsor)

On January 13, American Cancer Society State President Georgette Porter presented the award to Medical Director Dr. Andrew Pippas, who accepted it on the behalf of the John B. Amos Cancer Center.

Kenneth Smith, M.D., FACS, medical director of Breast Surgery at the John B. Amos Cancer Center, has been named a cancer liaison physician to the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CofC) for a three-year term.

Dr. Smith is among a national network of more than 1,600 volunteer physicians that are responsible for providing leadership and direction to establish, maintain and support their facilities’ cancer programs.

The John B. Amos Cancer Center is one of more than 1,400 CofC-accredited cancer programs in the United States and Puerto Rico. Approximately 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients are treated in these institutions.

More than 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year, according to the American College of Surgeons. The commission’s goal is to improve the quality of life and survival rate for those cancer patients.

Joint Commission accreditation is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

The Medical Center Inc. recently received accreditation from The Joint Commission, based on the accrediting organization’s preliminary Summary of Survey Findings Report.

The Medical Center, Inc. includes:

• The Medical Center
• Columbus Regional Wound Center
• Columbus Regional Breast Care Center
• John B. Amos Cancer Center
• Outpatient Clinics

The final accreditation decision will be made after the TJC receives and approves The Medical Center Inc.’s Evidence of Standards Compliance submission.

What TJC Accreditation Means to Columbus Healthcare Patients

The Joint Commission accreditation is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

According to Dr. Andy Morley, Columbus Regional senior vice president and Chief Medical Officer, the success of the TJC’s survey solidifies The Medical Center’s goal of being in a state of constant readiness for anyone to come into our facilities at any time to see the excellence of patient care delivered by our staff.

The Radiation Oncology Clinic at the John B. Amos Cancer Center has been awarded a full three-year accreditation by the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO).

The objective of the accreditation review is to ascertain that the equipment, staff, policies, procedures and treatment programs of the radiation oncology practice meet accepted standards of modern day radiation therapy delivered in the United States.

“This is recognition that we are providing the best care possible in this region,” said Matt Sherer, administrator of the John B. Amos Cancer Center. “This demonstrates that our department meets the highest standards set for Radiation Oncology.

“It is a testament to our physicists, nurses, dosimetrists, radiation therapists and physicians as to the high-quality patient care that they provide each and every day to our patients.”