Archive for February, 2010

The Medical Center Auxiliary and the Doctors Hospital Auxiliary at Columbus Regional Healthcare System in Columbus, Georgia are now accepting applications for scholarships for deserving young adults pursuing healthcare-related careers at their facilities.

Applications are being accepted now through August 1.

The Mary Ann Pease Scholarship

The Mary Ann Pease Scholarship Program was established in honor of Mary Ann Pease who devoted 20 years to The Medical Center as director of Volunteers. She established both The Medical Center Auxiliary and the Youth Volunteer Program.

The Doctors Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Field Scholarship

The Doctors Hospital Auxiliary Health Care Field Scholarship is also available to young adults pursuing careers in healthcare-related fields at Columbus Regional facilities in Columbus, Georgia.

For more information:

• Go online: www.yourhealthourmission.com/scholarships
• Call: (706) 571-1482
• E-mail: Nancy.Williams@crhs.net

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.

Leslie Ostrander, motivational speaker and author, signs copies of her book following her message to “Discover Your Everyday Super Hero” at the Seventh Annual Mind, Body and Spirit Retreat for Women.

More than 250 women enjoyed a day of laughter, learning and inspiration at the Seventh Annual Mind, Body and Spirit Retreat for Women, presented last month at the Cunningham Center for Leadership Development at Columbus State University.

Dynamic presenters shared expertise, knowledge and experiences that were both entertaining and informative.

Co-sponsored by the Columbus Regional Healthcare System and CB&T, the retreat was designed to open women’s eyes to new possibilities, energize their spirits, and challenge their minds with new ways to improve themselves and the lives of those around them.

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.

Georgia Hospital Association president Joseph Parker and Hughston Hospital’s Susan Garrett, Patty Norman, Michelle Breitfelder, Freya Gilbert and Butch Wheeler.

Hughston Hospital in Columbus recently received top statewide honors for excellence in improving quality and patient safety.

The Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) Partnership for Health and Accountability (PHA) presented its first-place Quality and Patient Safety Award to Hughston at the PHA Safety Summit held in Greensboro, Georgia, January 6-7.

Hughston Hospital in Columbus received the award for its Improving Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) Core Measure Performance in the 100–299 Beds Category.

This is the third consecutive year that Hughston has received an award at this summit.

Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP)

SCIP is a core measure mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which monitors the preoperative and immediate postoperative care of the patient by utilizing evidence-based practice.

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.

Columbus Cottonmouths hockey team members players will work for “tips” and will provide entertainment at the Snake Eyes benefit event.

Members of the Columbus Cottonmouths hockey team will serve as dealers, waiters and more at “Snake Eyes,” a casino-themed benefit the team is hosting at the Columbus Civic Center on Tuesday, March 2 at 6.30 p.m.

All proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network at The Medical Center.

The evening will be filled with popular casino games, as well as a great silent auction and fantastic prizes.

Cottonmouths players will work for “tips” and will provide entertainment.

Tip chips can be purchased by guests (all of whom must be 18 years old or older).

Admission is $35. For more information, please call (706) 660-6115.

Dr. Sylvester McRae accepts gift from Reverend Michael Stewart during a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration at Columbus Regional Conference Center.

The 2010 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was celebrated with music, prayer and remembrance at the Columbus Regional Conference Center at The Medical Center on January 18.

Highlights included:

• Music from the Emmanuel Voices of Praise from the Emmanuel Christian Community Church
• An oration of Dr. King’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech by Spivey Green
• A special message from Dr. Sylvester McRae

Dr. Sylvester McRae’s Message

Dr. McRae is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist that has practiced medicine for 28 years—including 25 years in Columbus, Georgia.

His grandfather was born in 1860 before the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation declaring slaves free within the seceding Confederate States. He recalled being raised in a small Georgia town where he picked cotton to help his family out with finances.

A graduate of Fort Valley State and the Medical College of Georgia, Dr. McRae spoke of dreaming simple and being a dream shaper—not a dream blocker—and challenged the audience to make the world a better place.