Claxton-Hepburn

THE POWER OF PREVENTION T o our friends, It is hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2011! Spring has been a busy time here at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. We completed renovations on our first floor, which relocated our outpatient lab, expanded our occupational and speech therapy spaces, and relocated and expanded our sleep lab from two beds to four. By relocating the outpatient lab, we are able to renovate our Emergency Department (ED). The construction is expected to be completed by the end of September 2011. Improvements being made to the ED include a triage station staffed with a registered nurse at the ED entrance to greet and assess patients as they enter, a private area for families to wait, and an improved treatment area for mental health patients. We appreciate your patience as we make these improvements to better serve your needs. As always, thank you for choosing Claxton-Hepburn for all your healthcare needs. Sincerely, {CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1} rub in approximately one ounce of sunscreen about 30 minutes before going outside and each time you reapply. • Reapply. Take time to reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or excessively sweating. • Skip tanning. Tanning beds are extremely harmful to your skin and can even cause more damage than natural sunlight. • Stay covered. Use sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and umbrellas to shade your skin. “Many skin cancer cases are preventable,” Murphy says. “If you do notice a change in your skin, such as a sore that doesn’t heal or a reddish growth, speak with a dermatology provider as soon as possible to increase your chance of early detection.” Prostate cancer survivor Jack Taylor and his wife, Judy Keeping Colorectal Cancer in Check Colorectal cancer causes more than 53,000 deaths in the United States every year. Unlike many other cancers, colorectal cancer is often curable when diagnosed in its early stages. “Inside the colon, growths known as polyps can develop, and these growths may later become cancerous,” says Ben Handelsman, MD, gastroenterologist at Claxton-Hepburn. “Health screenings such as colonoscopies can help physicians locate and remove polyps and reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer.” In addition to undergoing physician-recommended health screenings, making Mark Webster, FACHE PRESIDENT AND CEO Giveaway Announcement Find the hidden apple in Living Well and win a gas grill. Go to our website or send a postcard with your name, address, and phone number indicating the page number and location of the apple to: Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Attn: Community Relations; 214 King Street Ogdensburg, NY 13669 www.claxtonhepburn.org All entries are due by August 31, 2011. One entry per person. Correct entries will be entered into a drawing. Must be at least 18 years old to enter. Claxton-Hepburn employees and their immediate families are not eligible for the drawing. Congratulations to our last issue’s winner: Caroline Potter—Potsdam Did you fi nd the apple in the last issue? It was hidden on page 4! On Our Cover: Dr. John Gebert with radiation oncology staff Shauna Halpin, Jan Slate, and Amy Wright 2 L I V I N G WE L L lifestyle changes can lower your risk of colorectal cancer. Eat at least five servings of vegetables and fruits daily, and choose foods high in fiber, including whole grains. Exercise for about 30 minutes five times per week to maintain a healthy weight and boost your overall health. For more information about cancer services at Claxton-Hepburn, visit www.claxtonhepburn.org. Specialized Cancer Services Certified by the American College of Radiology and American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, the Richard E. Winter Cancer Center at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center offers state- of-the-art oncology services with a personalized touch. For a variety of cancers, the center offers radiation therapy and utilizes a technique called intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which destroys malignant cancer cells while lowering the impact on the area’s surrounding healthy cells. “IMRT has become the standard of care for treating tumors, and Claxton-Hepburn is the only hospital in the region with the capability of treating an array of cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, and head and neck, to name a few,” says John Gebert, MD, radiation oncologist at Claxton-Hepburn. “In addition to advanced technology to address cancer physically, the center offers care that treats the entire person and his or her family.” Navigation You Need With more than 10 years of experience in oncology, Kay Zimmer, LMSW, BPN-C, earned her patient navigator certification this year. “As a patient navigator for the hospital, I am involved with patients from diagnosis to recovery,” says Zimmer. “Rather than waiting for needs to arise, I get involved in patients’ care early in the process, and I’m there to help along the way.” www.claxtonhepburn.org

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