Cancer Wellness Walk a Success

The Cancer Wellness Walk, held in Peachtree City on Saturday April 9th, was a great success. In total, the event raised over $35,000 for Cancer Wellness programs at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. There were over 350 Walkers on hand for the event.

The Walk was the community benefit project of the 2010/2011 Leadership Fayette Class of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. The Leadership Fayette class spent seven months planning the event and was thrilled with the outcome.

“We worked very hard on the Walk and were happy to see so many walkers come out. We were also very thankful for our sponsors and wouldn’t have reached our fundraising goal without their generous support,” said Leadership Fayette class member Abby Jordan.

The Walk’s title sponsor was Chick-fil-A. Georgia Power, NCR and T & O Refrigeration were platinum level sponsors. The Walk also received gold sponsorships from Cargo Brokers International, Fellowship of Love Church, Heritage Automotive, Harris, Fritz and Associates, Piedmont Fayette Hospital and The Southern Federal Credit Union. Fayetteville City Councilman Larry Dell raised over $1,500 by offering to shave his head and mustache in support of the cause and his sister who is facing breast cancer for the second time.

Cancer Wellness offers comprehensive, complementary services and programs to anyone affected by cancer at any phase in his or her cancer journey at no charge. The funds raised by the Walk will specifically support Cancer Wellfit™, an exercise program developed to improve the physical health and quality of life for people with cancer.

“Our Cancer Wellness community is so appreciative to the 2011 class of Leadership Fayette and the Fayette Chamber of Commerce for all of their hard work and dedication,” said Tavari Taylor who manages the Cancer Wellness Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital.

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Psssttt--- Piedmont Hospital Offers a Free Service for Women‏

Piedmont Hospital has received a grant from Susan G. Komen for the cure. They are now providing free breast imaging services, mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, etc. including biopsy to underserved women in 5 counties. Fayette County is included and is the furthest south county served.

If interested in learning more, please call 404-605-4427. Translation services are provided. Piedmont Fayette Hospital is the service provider for our county or women can choose Piedmont Buckhead.

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Poetic History Made at Huddleston Elementary in Peachtree City

Winners pictured (L-R) Ashley Boyce, Jacob Brachey, Jack Bragg, Hailey Brown, Jack Bukowski, Taela Conlan, Sarah DeNell, Calvin Flowers, Johnna Haskew, Claire Ivory, Sam Liu, Jenny Lyon, Brooke Rainere, Thomas Reeder, Mia Scarbrough, Madi Strelka, Spencer Utt, and Caryanne Wilson. Not pictured is Christy Richardson.

A record-breaking number of second graders, 19 to be exact, have had their original poetry accepted for publication in Creative Communication’s anthology, “A Celebration of Poets.” This is a major achievement for the students at Huddleston Elementary School considering that less than 50 percent of the thousands of poems submitted each year are accepted. About 10,000 schools across the country participate in the annual competition.

“This is quite an honor for us. The student work this year is exceptional. We’ve had some poets published before, but never this many nor has the quality been so high,” says gifted teacher Lisa Evans whose students wrote and submitted poetry to the publication.

The winning students are Ashley Boyce, Jacob Brachey, Jack Bragg, Hailey Brown, Jack Bukowski, Taela Conlan, Sarah DeNell, Calvin Flowers, Johnna Haskew, Claire Ivory, Sam Liu, Jenny Lyon, Brooke Rainere, Thomas Reeder, Christy Richardson, Mia Scarbrough, Madi Strelka, Spencer Utt, and Caryanne Wilson.

Evans says 25 of her students voluntarily submitted their work that was created during a unit on poetry. Many of the poems celebrate nature and one student wrote about her special-needs sibling, a very touching piece titled “Who Am I?” that is among those being published in the anthology, which will be out in print this summer.

Because more than 50 percent of the students’ work from Evans’ class was accepted, the school received the “Poetic Achievement” award that is given to the top 10 percent of the schools that entered the competition. The schools are chosen based on the number and quality of the entries accepted.

Setting a school record for the number of students published in Creative Communication’s anthology and earning the Poetic Achievement award may not be the only honors coming to Huddleston. The 19 pieces accepted for publication are being considered for the highly coveted “Top 10 Poem” award. Top 10 winners receive their own page in the anthology and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond. Winners will be announced in May.

Additionally, the school is eligible to apply for one of two $250 language arts grants that are awarded to each state or region. If the school is selected as a grant recipient, the money will be used to purchase additional supplies for the enrichment poetry unit.

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Piedmont Physicians Raise Awareness of Cervical and Other Gynecological Cancers

Every six minutes, an American woman is diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, including cervical, endometrial, ovarian, peritoneal, tubal, vaginal and vulvar cancers. Each year more than 80,000 American women are diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, defined as the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the female reproductive organs.

September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and according to the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, early detection plays a critical role in the treatment process. In addition, the Foundation says that gynecologic cancers should only be treated by a cancer specialist, such as a gynecologic oncologist. Any woman is at risk for developing a gynecologic cancer. Although they are often discussed as a group, gynecologic cancers have a spectrum of different causes, prevention and detection methods, treatment, and likelihoods of a cure.

“Gynecologic cancer is a serious concern for women, but there are ways to prevent, detect and treat this cancer,” said Alfred Dwayne Jenkins, M.D., gynecologic oncologist at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “If more women were screened regularly, many unnecessary deaths from cervical cancer could be avoided.”

Biomedical research has discovered that some genes, called oncogenes, promote the growth of cancer. These genetic mutations are acquired during life through smoking, aging or environmental influences, or are inherited from parents or grandparents. Many cancers of the cervix, vagina and vulva are caused by a virus that blocks normal gene function. Only a few of the specific genes leading to reproductive cancers have been identified. Knowing family history can increase the chance of early diagnosis and can help take action toward prevention.

Screening and self-examinations conducted regularly can result in the detection of certain types of gynecologic cancers in their earlier stages, when treatment is more likely to be successful and a complete cure is a possibility. Diet, exercise and lifestyle choices play a significant role in the prevention of cancer. Additionally, knowledge of family history can increase the chance of prevention or early diagnosis by determining if someone may have a gene which makes them susceptible to cancer.

Dr. Jenkins has been a part of the Piedmont Healthcare family since early last year, working with Piedmont Gynecologic Oncology located on the Piedmont Hospital campus. He also holds part-time office hours at Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville. Dr. Jenkins is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and gynecologic oncology. He performed the first gynecologic robotics procedure in the state of Florida while serving as director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center-Orlando. Dr. Jenkins is also interested in minimally invasive surgery and fertility-sparing treatment of malignancies.

Dr. Jenkins is accepting new patients and welcomes virtually all major insurance plans. His Fayetteville office is located at 1267 Highway 54 West, Suite 5200, Fayetteville, Ga. on the PFH campus. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 404-605-2100.
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Maternity Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital Offers Classes for Expecting Parents

Parents and expectant parents are invited to attend several informative classes offered by the Maternity Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital (PFH). For more information on the Maternity Center at PFH, visit www.fayettehospital.org. Community members are invited to take part in the following classes:

Prepared Childbirth Class - This course, recommended for women 20 to 28 weeks into pregnancy, provides an eight hour childbirth education class that teaches mom and her partner about what to expect during labor and delivery. The instructor will discuss the stages of labor, relaxation, breathing techniques, common concerns, comfort measures and much more. Participants will need to bring two pillows and a blanket or towel. The fee for the course is $85 and includes light refreshments. The class will be held Saturday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Dietary Conference Room on the ground floor of the hospital. To sign-up call Link2Health toll-free at 1-866-900-4321. For more information call 770-719-6305.

Breastfeeding Basics - The Maternity Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital offers a three hour group participation discussion on the benefits and how-to's of breastfeeding. This class includes preparing for breastfeeding and getting started in the hospital and at home, special situations and growing a breastfeeding family. The class is best if done prior to delivery, but participants are welcome at any time. Fathers and grandparents are welcomed and encouraged to attend also. This class is offered July 12, September 13 and November 8 at 9 a.m. in Conference Room C on the third floor of the hospital's 1279 Building. To sign-up call Link2Health toll-free at 1-866-900-4321. For more information call 770-719-6305.

Moms in Motion - “Moms in Motion” is a fitness program designed to prepare women for the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and postpartum. The class combines low impact aerobics, toning exercises, relaxation and breathing techniques and appropriate warm-ups/cool-downs perfect for both pregnant and postpartum women. The program provides not only a safe and effective exercise regime, but also provides valuable information on pregnancy, postpartum and child safety. Participants may register for this ongoing program at any time during or after pregnancy. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. in Suite 200 of the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Fitness Center at 1250 Hwy 54 West. Space is limited. The classes are FREE to fitness center members, and $25 per month for non-members. Written approval from a physician is required. For more information or to register, call 770-719-7290.

Maternity Center Tours - The Maternity Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital welcomes expectant mothers and their families to take a tour of the facility. The tour will be offered on Saturday, July 12 and July 19 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The tour will provide information on the hospital's approach to maternity care and how physicians and staff help new mothers and their babies before and after delivery. Please meet in the Maternity Center lobby (third floor, enter through the West Entrance) and sign in. For more information call 770-719-6305.

Fayette County Safe Kids Child Passenger Safety Training Class - Fayette County Safe Kids will offer a car seat safety class to teach parents how to keep children safe, especially while traveling by car. The course will be offered Monday, July 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. in Conference Room A on the third floor of the hospital's 1279 Building. This class is offered the second Monday of each month. For more information or to register, call 770-631-0743, ext. 150.

Piedmont Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital Receive Komen Foundation Grants

Piedmont Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital have received funding from the Greater Atlanta Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The grants will be used to provide breast imaging services for underserved and underinsured women in the Atlanta area

“Piedmont is committed to providing state-of-the-art breast services to all women,” said Jeffrey Allen, M.D., medical director of the Doris Shaheen Breast Health Center at Piedmont Hospital. “We appreciate the support provided by the Atlanta affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and are committed to meeting the needs of the community.”

Dr. Allen explained that a recent survey conducted by the Atlanta affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure demonstrated the marked underutilization of breast services in the Atlanta area by African-American and Latino women as well as indigent women of all races.

“To address this gap in crucial breast health services, the Doris Shaheen Breast Health Center at Piedmont Hospital and Women’s Imaging Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital are providing free screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, breast ultrasound, ultrasound guided core biopsies, and stereotactic core biopsies to qualifying women,” he said. “A second grant is funding breast MRI and MRI-guided biopsies at Piedmont Hospital as well.”

Patients should be referred by a physician or can complete a form to see if they qualify at www.piedmonthospital.org/komen or www.fayettehospital.org/komen. If a patient qualifies and doesn’t have a physician, she will receive help finding a physician to follow her care. To learn more about the program and to check qualifications, call Suzette Wheeler at 404-352-1409, extension 304.

This year, Komen Atlanta awarded $2.25 million to 38 grantees in its 10-county service area. For more information on Susan G Komen or grants in your area, please visit www.komenatlanta.org.

School’s Out, Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s In

While some students are spending their summer perfecting their video game skills or hitting the pool, others are getting hands-on experience in the healthcare field. More than 135 local teens are committing their summer vacation time to Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary’s Youth Volunteer Program. More than 40 of these youth volunteers have returned from last year.

“The youth that apply for our program are without exception a remarkable group,” said Sallie MacGregor, president of Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary. “When you review their applications you cannot help but be impressed by the array of community, church and school leadership roles each has contributed. They certainly represent the very best of today’s youth, which in turn is an investment in our future.”

Many students applied for this opportunity, making it the tenth year that the Hospital Auxiliary has seen such excitement about the program. The youth are volunteering in 21 service areas at Piedmont Fayette Hospital allowing them to explore the various aspects of the healthcare field. The eight-week program includes a hospital orientation, CPR training, an opportunity to attend a state youth volunteer conference and day-to-day shadowing experiences with PFH employees.

Students in the PFHA Youth program must be between 14 and 18 years of age, submit an application and essay on why they want to volunteer, provide a letter of reference and be able to commit a minimum of 25 hours over the summer. These students from Fayette, Coweta, Clayton, Fulton and Spalding counties attend public and private schools as well as attend home school.

The Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary is a 274-member team that provides volunteer services to the hospital. Last year, the Auxiliary donated more than 30,000 hours of volunteer time to the hospital. If you would like more information regarding volunteer opportunities, please call 770-719-7098.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Hosts Blood Drive June 12

Summertime is the perfect time to donate blood!

Piedmont Fayette Hospital's Auxiliary will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, June 12, from noon until 5 p.m. It will be held in Building 1279, just west of the main hospital, at 1279 Highway 54 West, on the third floor, Conference Room C.

Eligible donors must be healthy, 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors may give blood every 56 days, or six times a year. Donating blood is a simple process that saves more than 4 million American lives each year, according to the American Red Cross. Blood is needed every three seconds in the United States for emergency medical situations. Blood is always needed for the treatment of accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs and surgery patients.

Please call the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary office at (770) 719‑7098 for more information or to schedule your appointment. Walk‑ins are welcome; however appointments will be honored first.