Claxton-Hepburn

Celebrating 20 Years of Cancer Care In early July, the community gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Richard E. Winter Cancer Treatment Center at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. The Cancer Center was the rst of its kind in the North Country. The open-house event, held July 2, celebrated 20 years of leading-edge oncology care, as well as the addition of the multifunctional Varian Trilogy linear accelerator. This new technology allows specialists to treat lung and brain tumors with a precise dose of radiation. The linear accelerator provides a treatment option previously not available to St. Lawrence County residents and allows patients to be treated closer to home. During the event, New York Assemblywoman Addie Russell presented Vicki Perrine—who at the time served as interim co-CEO of Claxton-Hepburn—with a citation honoring the Cancer Center. "In our country, there truly is a rarity of charity," says Mark Webster, the former CEO of Claxton-Hepburn who returned to Ogdensburg for the event. "I want to challenge people to get out of their comfort zones, whether it's giving to this campaign or other worthwhile organizations." Webster made a major donation in memory of his wife's sister, Karen Heider Ruda, who recently passed away from lung cancer. The room holding the linear accelerator was named in her honor. Now that your child is back in class, don't forget to schedule a checkup with his or her pediatrician. In addition to being a great time to complete a sports physical, this annual visit is also a chance to address any ongoing medical issues and give children a chance to talk through any health-related questions they may have. "At annual checkups, we have the opportunity to focus on the whole child—physical, mental, and emotional health," says Jose Megna, MD, a pediatrician with Claxton-Hepburn Health Center. "We can identify problems, make sure vaccinations are up to date, and provide information about safety and nutrition to help children stay well year-round." PREPARE WITH CARE To make the most of your child's appointment, Dr. Megna recommends writing down any questions or concerns you may have, bringing a list of medications and supplements your child is taking, and having a copy of any evaluations or testing results with you. "When selecting a pediatrician, consider his or her training, experience, and practice philosophy," Dr. Megna says. "At Claxton-Hepburn, our pediatricians are committed to the health and well-being of children in the communities we serve." For more information about pediatric care a Claxton-Hepburn, visit www.claxtonhepburn.org and select "Health centers" to nd a location near you. Have a Healthful Back-to-School Season Regular preventive care plays a big part in keeping kids well, and that can be especially important when they're in school. Your donations can impact the future of oncology care at Claxton- Hepburn Medical Center. To learn more about how you can donate, visit www.claxtonhepburn.org/donate or call (315) 393-9175. Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center would like to thank pediatrician Suseela Yitta, MD, for her 32 years of dedication to our community. Thanks, Dr. Yitta! a n n i v e r s a ry

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