First Annual Clinical Breast Exam Screening an Overwhelming Success
11/21/2011
First Annual Clinical Breast Exam Screening an Overwhelming Success
Maria Parham Medical Center usually offers an educational event for area women during the month of October, since it is celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Hope Breedlove and Terry Adcock, both from the Oncology Department of Maria Parham, decided that this year they would offer a more clinical event with the educational component playing a secondary role. Maria Parham involved healthcare professionals from both Warren and Vance counties in volunteering their time to do clinical breast exams for women. This event was held on the evening of October 27, and the providers for the screenings were Dr. Casey Chollet; Dr. Aretha Wiggs-Grimes; Dr. Netasha McLawhorn; Dr. Michelle Ogle; Alicia Castillo, MS, CNM; and Estena Bradley, RNCGONP. The event was opened up to all area women and 115 chose to participate. This was a very large number for a first time event like this. Breedlove, Social Worker for the Oncology Department, remarked, “This was an amazing first-time event. We were so excited to meet such a great need in our community.” She was referring to the answers given on a short questionnaire each of the participants filled out when leaving. The last question asked about whether they could have gotten a free clinical breast exam anywhere else. Breedlove continues, “Nearly ALL the participants—97% of them, said that they could NOT have gotten a free clinical breast exam elsewhere! That represents a great need!”
Besides receiving the exam, the participants were also treated to refreshments and goody bags, and were instructed in performing monthly self breast exams. The practitioners performing the exams felt that several of the participants needed follow-up after the initial screening they were given. These ladies were supplied with resource information as to how to obtain mammograms. Some of them were even referred to local grants in our community to get their mammograms at no cost. Adcock, the Oncology Department’s Patient Navigator was pleased with the event. “I am delighted with both the turnout for the evening and the fact that the group was able to give so many people healthcare opportunities that were out of reach for them otherwise. We would like to make this a yearly event.”
Maria Parham would like to thank the Warren County Free Clinic, Rural Health Group, Premier Women’s Health Professionals, Henderson Family Medicine Clinic, and the Warren Vance Community Health Center for assisting with this screening. Also playing a role in this fantastic event were area Girl Scouts, members of Maria Parham’s Radiology, Oncology, and Marketing Departments, Cancer Resource Center Volunteers, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Avon Foundation for Women.
About Maria Parham Medical Center, A Duke LifePoint Hospital
Maria Parham Medical Center, located in Henderson, NC, is a regional hospital serving the people of north central North Carolina and Southside Virginia. As a Duke LifePoint Hospital, Maria Parham offers a combination of Duke University Health System’s unparalleled expertise in clinical excellence and quality care, and LifePoint Hospital’s extensive resources, knowledge and experience in operating community hospitals. Maria Parham offers a wide range of services and the latest technology to meet the healthcare needs of the community. It is fully accredited by The Joint Commission and CMS. For more information about Maria Parham Medical Center, please call (252) 436-1800 or visit www.mariaparham.com.