Martin Memorial Cancer Program Again Earns Accreditation with Commendation

The Martin Memorial cancer program has once again been granted three-year accreditation with commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

Martin Memorial’s cancer program has been accredited by the Commission on Cancer for many years, but this is the second consecutive time it has received the commendation distinction, the highest possible level of accreditation.

A facility receives the distinction following on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor. The program must demonstrate a commendation level of compliance with one or more standards that represent the full scope of the cancer program: cancer committee leadership; cancer data management; clinical services; research; community outreach; and quality improvement. In addition, a facility receives a compliance rating for all other standards.

Martin Memorial offers a continuum of care that features outpatient services through the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center, and in-patient services as well. That includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, clinical trials, social and support services, and nutritional counseling.

“This accreditation is a reflection of the hard work and dedication shown by physicians, clinical staff and support personnel who are making a tremendous difference in the lives of Treasure Coast residents every day,” said Cindy Pingolt, assistant vice president of professional services. “Cancer affects countless people in our community and we are determined to provide access to high-quality care that can help them battle the disease.”

The Commission on Cancer is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients. The core functions of the commission include: setting standards for quality, multidisciplinary cancer patient care; surveying facilities to evaluate compliance with Commission on Cancer standards; collecting standardized and quality data from approved facilities; and using the data to develop effective educational interventions to improve cancer care outcomes at the national, state and local levels.

Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those 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 approval, facilities with an approved cancer program must undergo an on-site review every three years.

According to the Commission on Cancer, accredited programs ensure that patients receive: Quality care close to home; comprehensive care offering a range of state-of-the-art services and equipment; a multi-specialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options available to cancer patients; access to cancer-related information, education, and support; a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results, and offers lifelong patient follow-up; ongoing monitoring and improvement of care; information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options.

There are currently more than 1,400 cancer programs in the United States and Puerto Rico approved by the Commission on Cancer, representing close to 25 percent of all hospitals. Those hospitals diagnose and/or treat 80 percent of newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.

Confused About What You Should or Shouldn’t Eat? Just Ask the Dietitian

Dear Dietitian,

I don’t know what to eat. I know that I shouldn’t eat fast food or fill up on lots of sweets but then what should I eat?

Sincerely,
What Should I Eat?

If you feel confused by all the food hype and diets that flood the market you’re not alone.

Each day I see patients that come into my office not knowing what to do. For basics, think of how you can get the best bang for your buck. You want to eat foods that fill you but for less calories. After all, who wants to be hungry and left feeling deprived? So what it comes down to is choosing the right foods.

For starters your mom always told you to eat veggies. Veggies fill you up for little calories. They have fiber and water which goes a long way, which is why fruit is also a good snack but portion-controlled.

What else fills you up? Protein does, but think lean: fish, chicken, turkey and beans. And believe it or not, fat does. Yes fat. The low-fat craze is over and now the focus is on healthy fats, such as omega-3’s (which you can find in fish), nuts and healthy oils such as olive and canola.

Whole grains are also a good bite but just don’t overdo them. Look at the sugar content. A good goal is less than five grams per 100 calories for breads or cereals. And what about sweets? Think in moderation and serving size. Certainly all that sugar does not do your body any good.

Which brings me to another subject: liquid calories. Just think, if you drink two 12-ounce sodas a day that’s roughly 300 empty calories that you could use more wisely. And lastly, don’t be afraid to add a couple servings of dairy to your diet.

So how do you put this into practice? A simple way is to use the plate method. Fill half your plate with veggies, a quarter with protein and quarter with a whole-grain starch. Think stir fries and be creative! Or maybe instead of having that large bagel topped with cream cheese, you substitute it for a half cup of oatmeal with low-fat milk, blueberries and some nuts. You’ll save yourself about 250 calories. Not a bad way to start the day.

To sum it up: eat real food. Make vegetables the main course, choose lean protein, healthy fats, beans and nuts, fruits, whole grains and everything in moderation. Get rid of the junk that disguises itself as healthy such as those bars that are sitting in your cabinet.

--Beth St.Louis, MS, RD, LDN
Program Dietitian
Martin Memorial Center for Health and Healing

Martin Memorial earns recognition as a national Employer of Choice

Throughout its 70-year history, Martin Memorial has been considered an outstanding place to work by its associates and in the community.

Now, Martin Memorial has received recognition as a national Employer of Choice. That designation places the health system in an elite group of just 16 health care organizations from across the country that currently hold that title. Only 29 companies total have achieved that distinction since the designation was created in 2000.

Employer of Choice, Inc. is an organization comprised of a national team of experts on employee retention and workplace trends. The Employer of Choice designation is awarded to public, private or nonprofit employers that demonstrate effective implementation of best practices in attracting, developing and retaining outstanding people.

In the photo below, Joyce Gioia, chief execuitive officer of Employer of Choice, Inc. (second from left) presents the award to Amy Barry, vice president and chief human resources officer for Martin Memorial; George H. Rittersbach Jr., chairman of the Martin Memorial Board of Directors; and Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial.

Organizations that earn the right to be called an Employer of Choice typically enjoy a higher level of system-wide performance and continuity, greater workforce stability, as well as superior levels of customer loyalty and employee satisfaction. And health care organizations that achieve Employer of Choice designation tend to have higher patient satisfaction, greater productivity and lower turnover.

Designations are based upon a rigorous review of an organization’s practices. That includes a wide spectrum of workforce topics, including a company’s business practices and improvement initiatives, a marketplace comparative analysis and a benefits review. Organizational culture, turnover rates compared to the industry average and workforce retention were also carefully examined as part of the review process.

“While we have always believed that Martin Memorial is an excellent place to work, we have constantly sought innovative ways to continue attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce,” said Mark E. Robitaille, president and chief executive officer of Martin Memorial. “This designation not only provides tangible evidence that we are on the right path, it has also helped us identify best practices that have proven beneficial to our organization. Ultimately, that will allow us to continue our mission of providing exceptional health care to the communities we serve.”

The process to achieve this status began seven years ago for Martin Memorial, when the health system began working with VHA Inc. in 2002 on a national program called Tomorrow’s Workforce. A team of experts analyzed the data produced from the review of Martin Memorial’s workforce and business issues before ultimately concluding the health system met the criteria to be named a national Employer of Choice.

Town Hall Meeting in Port St. Lucie Will Provide Information on H1N1 Flu

On Sept. 24, a collaboration of health care providers and community leaders will hold a Town Hall meeting in Port St. Lucie to discuss H1N1 flu. A panel of physicians and personnel from the St. Lucie County Health Department will be available to provide information and answer questions about H1N1, including preventive measure the public can take.

Here is information about the event, which is free and open to the public.

WHO: Karlette Peck, Epidemiologist and Clint Sperber, Regional Public Health Preparedness Coordinator St. Lucie County Health Department; Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr. Moti Ramgopal; Martin Memorial Pediatrician, Dr. Michael Jampol; St. Lucie Medical Center Primary Care Physicians, Dr. Dwight Dawkins and Dr. Bernard Kurecki; Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute Respiratory Therapist Kelly Sebree and Emergency Medical Director Dr. Andre Creese; and St. Lucie County Emergency Management’s Thomas Daly.

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Port St. Lucie City Civic Center Main Auditorium, at the southeast corner of U.S. 1 and Walton Road.

WHY: The St. Lucie County Health Department, community leaders and health care providers are hosting this Town Hall meeting to inform the public about H1N1 (swine flu), including prevention measures. Topics include the latest treatments, an overview of H1N1 trends, the goal of vaccinations and an update on school prevention efforts. Questions from the public are welcome.

Martin Memorial Auxiliary Offers Scholarships for Health Care Degrees

Residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties who are pursuing degrees related to health care may be eligible for financial assistance through the Martin Memorial Health Systems Auxiliary Scholarship.

Applications are available online at mmhs.com under the News and Events heading. The deadline for submission is Jan. 29, 2010.

Scholarships are available to high school seniors graduating from schools in Martin or St. Lucie counties in 2010 and verifiable residents of both counties seeking undergraduate degrees in health-related fields, or business fields related to health care delivery. Adults interested in returning to school to further their educations, as well as previous scholarship recipients, may apply if they meet eligibility requirements outlined in the application.

A committee determines which candidates receive scholarships and in what amount. Amounts awarded vary and are based on grades, residency, need, other financial assistance being granted and other criteria. Funds may be used to offset any costs associated with the pursuit of a degree in healthcare.

For more information, call Rachel Raos at (772) 288-5896 or e-mail her at rraos@mmhs-fla.org.

In 2009, the Martin Memorial Auxiliary provided $50,000 in scholarships with 56 recipients earning assistance. Since 1980, Martin Memorial has awarded $1,093,000 in scholarships to 777 residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The Martin Memorial Auxiliary includes more than 800 members, who volunteer nearly 170,000 hours across the health system.

Forever Young at 80-Plus, Thanks in Part to Staying Active and Physically Fit

Joe and Marie Varone have been married for 58 years and are “regulars” at Martin Memorial Health and Fitness South.

When the Varones retired to Stuart 23 years ago, they knew they wanted and needed to stay in shape. They led very active lives in New York. They both recall being active as children playing street games like kick the can and stick ball – and they are very quick to point out their battle scars from playing as children. As adults, Marie coached CYO basketball and baseball while Joe became a physical education educator in New York.

Their lives continue to be active. You’ll find them at least three to four times per week at our health and fitness center. Marie’s motivation for staying in shape at 80 years young is her children and grandchildren. You’ll also find Marie volunteering on Martin Memorial’s obstetrics floor, where she says she has the best job: “I get to play with the babies.” Marie says, “We may not be wealthy but we’re happy and healthy.”

Marie’s fitness regimen includes cardiovascular exercise on the stationary bike and treadmill along with a strength training routine using machines and free weights. She also plays golf three times per week.

At 83, Joe’s main motivation for keeping in shape is injury prevention and, as he puts it, “staying alive.” Joe’s fitness regimen includes lots of stretching, which he said has saved him from injuries, along with cardiovascular exercise on the stationary bike and treadmill, and strength training.

Both Marie and Joe urge everyone to remain active, to eat well and to see a doctor on a regular basis. Each urges us all to take advantage of our excellent medical system. Joe and Marie invite everyone to Martin Memorial Health and Fitness, and come join the fun and stay healthy!

--Jane Reynolds

Health and Fitness Technician

Hospital South Health and Fitness