Community Education Initiatives and 2007 Activities >>

Community Education Annual Report:

Southern New Hampshire Medical Center continues to provide innovative programs to increase awareness and encourage the early detection of cancer. The following are key activities that support the Commission on Cancer Standard 6.2 for Community Outreach:

By popular demand, the six-week Fall 2006 Community Medical School (CMS) semester, The Best of the Best in Cancer Care, was repeated in Spring 2007. Once again, the semester received high marks as expert faculty from The Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Nashua, Nashua Regional Cancer Center, Associated Radiologists, PA, and special guest lecturers from our affiliate partner at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, shared their knowledge with 389 community residents. “We are so fortunate to have this opportunity. The speakers are excellent and the topics are right up to date and give us the knowledge to make informed decisions. Thank you!!” wrote a student.

In addition, a Leadership Lecture and Book Signing by urologist and author Gary Dunetz, MD, FACS, took place in Spring 2007. Fifty-one community residents received valuable information and a complimentary copy of “Bladder Cancer: A Resource Guide for Patients and Their Families.”

The annual Employee Night at the deNicola Breast Health Center provided an opportunity for employees from SNHHS and area companies to receive a baseline screening mammogram in a relaxed atmosphere. For first timers, the live music, refreshments, and education by breast health coordinator Sue Holmes, RN, made for a comfortable and personalized experience.

In collaboration with SNHMC Lab Services and The Urology Center of Southern New Hampshire, The Medical Center continued to offer an annual Prostate Cancer Screening to Anheuser Busch employees in Merrimack, NH. In 2007, fourteen employees received PSA tests and digital rectal exams performed by urologist and Cancer Committee member John J. Janeiro, MD, FACS. In September 2008, New England Urology will host a free community screening for men ages 50 and over who have not been screened in the past or who are not currently under a physician's care for prostate disease.

In May 2007, our annual Skin Cancer Screening, hosted by the SNHMC 55PLUS program and Nashua Dermatology Associates, screened forty-two community residents, with three (7%) requiring follow-up care. In May 2008, a total of fifty-five community residents were screened with 45% identified with a positive or suspicious finding, which is higher than past years, and according to the NH American Cancer Society, higher than other screenings in the state.

New in 2007 was an Oral Cancer Screening, introduced by 55PLUS director Suzanne Keller, RN, and otolaryngologist Laurie Porter, DO, from The New England Center for Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery. Ninety participants took part. Another screening is being planned for late 2008 after a new otolaryngologist joins the practice.

In 2007, cancer committee member and ACS Making Strides chair, Ann Lorden, RN, announced that the 15th annual October walk in Nashua for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer raised an amazing $321,000—one of the most successful to date. As a sponsor, The Medical Center applauds the efforts and dedication of Ann and the six SNHHS teams that made this event a success: Ann’s Allstars, deNicola Breast Health Center, Dr. Terry Tranchemontagne’s team, Rosa’s Garden from the SNHMC business office, PACU Pacers, and Nancy’s team from the Volunteer office. MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Sunday, October 19, 2008!

In June 2008, "Caregivers for a Cure," The Medical Center's West 3 team, supported the ACS's Relay for Life of Greater Nashua. The overnight event is designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for cancer research and programs.

The Medical Center continued to provide space, refreshments, and speakers for cancer support groups, and the Look Good, Feel Better program in our Oncology practice. Breast health coordinator Sue Holmes, RN, facilitates the monthly Breast Cancer Support Group meetings and arranges for speakers of interest for the group.

The Prostate Cancer Support Group, small but dedicated, was active in the community and in educating themselves about their disease. In 2007, the group hosted several speakers, including pathologist and Cancer Committee member Cheryl Ennis, MD; urologist Gary Dunetz, MD, FACS; cancer care coordinator and Cancer Committee member Maryanne Mercier, RN, CHPN; and registered dietitian Julie Lavoie, RD, BS, CDE. The group also toured the Nashua Regional Cancer Center and talked about the latest technology and advances with radiation oncologist Donald Weiss, MD, and the center's staff. In 2009, this group will transition to an ACS Man to Man support group with collaborative resources provided by the ACS, The Medical Center, and St. Joseph Hospital.

Nashua Oncology and Hematology nurses Joan Finn, RN, and Karen Sennett, RN, continued to host the American Cancer Society’s Look Good, Feel Better program to help female cancer patients restore their self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Since its inception in August 2005, more than thirty-seven patients have taken advantage of the support and camaraderie, and received a free kit valued at $200.

The Greater Nashua Cancer Support Group is offered twice a month at the Nashua Regional Cancer Center. A community collaborative, the group meetings are facilitated by a social worker and registered nurse from the participating organizations, including The Medical Center, St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua Regional Cancer Center and Home Health & Hospice.

More than 100 community residents participated in four lectures on Making End-of-Life Decisions: A Talk on Advance Directives. The goal is to increase awareness of this sensitive issue and the number of individuals that complete their Advance Directive prior to admission. In collaboration with St. Joseph Hospital, two of the talks were hosted at the Nashua City Library. In addition, The Medical Center held two programs onsite, featuring an interactive format of panelists from the emergency department, intensive care unit, patient and family services, and an attorney available to address any medical or legal questions. In 2008, The Medical Center will continue to offer opportunities for our community residents and patients to complete their forms and get their questions answered.

CaringBridge™ continued to keep patients connected to their loved ones during hospital stays. In 2007, there were sixteen active sites with 130,509 site visits and 2,711 guestbook entries. The Medical Center was the first facility in New Hampshire to sponsor this site. Patients and their families can access the site on a dedicated computer that has nternet connection on the West 3 oncology nursing unit. In 2008, the number of site visits ( 67,792) and guestbook entries (1,217) remain high for the months of January-June.