Free Prostate Cancer Screening

Mercy Memorial Hospital System (MMHS) is conducting a free prostate cancer screening, 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, September 19, 2013 at its Corporate Connection clinic located at 901 North Macomb Street, Suite 1, Monroe. The free screening is open to all men in the community and includes a digital exam and PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test. No appointment is necessary.

Urologists S. R. Nair, M.D. and Ashwin Shah, M.D. are donating their services for this screening and will perform the patient examinations.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in men worldwide with approximately 900,000 cases reported each year. Nearly 1 in 6 American men will be affected by prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, a man should begin discussing prostate health with his physician as early as age 40 and have his first screening no later than age 55. Men who have a father, brother or son who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, or another risk factor, together with their physician, may decide to undergo screening at an even earlier age.

Each year, approximately 217,000 new cases are identified. Early detection is a vital step in successful diagnosis and treatment. Men should let their doctors know if they are experiencing any of the following:

• persistent pain in hips, upper thighs or lower back
• notice blood in their urine or semen
• experience urinary problems such as frequent urge to urinate, weak flow of urine, involuntary start and stop of the urine flow, pain or burning during urination, inability to urinate or difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine.

For more information about the free prostate cancer screening, please call (734) 240-4162.

MMHS Surgical Services nurse wins DAISY Award

Cherokee Whiteman, RN has been recognized as Mercy Memorial Hospital System’s quarterly DAISY Award winner.

The DAISY Award is an international program which rewards excellence in nursing. It was created by the DAISY Foundation to recognize clinical skills, extraordinary compassion and care exhibited by nurses every day.
Whiteman continually demonstrates her commitment to compassionate patient care. This story is only one of many times that she has shown what a true patient advocate is.

Recently, a patient arrived to the preoperative area for emergency surgery due to an extremely urgent situation and time was of the essence. The patient did not have the opportunity to process what was happening, yet she was in severe pain, scared, crying and in complete shock. In addition to those concerns, the patient’s regular surgeon was out of town and she was unfamiliar with the surgeon who would be performing this operation.

Whiteman immediately recognized that this patient was in desperate need of something more important that a surgical intervention – she needed spiritual and human intervention. She sat on the patient’s stretcher, took her hands, looked her in the eye and offered to pray with her. The patient immediately agreed and then Whiteman said a very eloquent prayer and hugged the patient after. With the patient clinging to her nurse, you could see the anxiety leave her face, and she then felt comfortable going forward with the surgical procedure. While Whiteman transported the patient to the operating room she continued to reassure her that she was in excellent hands. She stayed at this patient’s bedside through the period of induction of anesthesia and was with her while she woke up from surgery.
As operating room nurses, there is often not the prolonged time to develop patient relationships, but Whiteman took the few moments she did have and made them count.

“Cherokee knows the importance of slowing down for a minute to really assess what a patient is feeling,” said Michele Sampson, RN, executive director surgical services and anesthesia. “Oftentimes health care providers forget about assessing the patient as a ‘whole’ person, and she saw this as an opportunity to share her experience with her coworkers.”

In addition, Whiteman, as the department’s educator, created a Powerpoint presentation on the importance of spiritual care and partnered with Chaplain Larry Lyons to in-service the surgical services department staff.

Whiteman has worked for MMHS in the surgery department for over six years and has been a registered nurse since 1995. But a career in nursing has been on her mind since high school when she attended classes for becoming a nursing assistant. However, between meeting her husband and having children, there wasn’t time to go back to nursing school until her children were in school full time. She found a job part time as a scrub tech for cataract surgeries, and never looked back.

Whiteman was not only presented her award during a recent staff meeting, but she also received a DAISY Award signature lapel pin and a hand-carved sculpture “A Healer’s Touch.” To further celebrate, staff were treated to Cinnabon’s cinnamon rolls – the scent will remind them of how special they are and how important their work is.

The Erie resident worked for 10 years in the Toledo area before coming to MMHS.

“People care here and I think it’s because it’s a community hospital and that’s what I really value about it,” Whiteman said.

The DAISY Foundation began in memory of Patrick Barnes, 33, who died from complications of idiopathic thrombocystpenic purpura (ITP). The DAISY Foundation is dedicated to funding research to help fight immune system diseases. Since Patrick and his family were touched with remarkable care during his illness, the family made it their mission to recognize exceptional nurses around the country.

Forms for nominations are available on the nursing units and can be completed and returned to the unit for consideration. In addition, an electronic version is available on http://www.mercymemorial.org.

Canines 4 a Cause Raises Over $1,100 for Cancer Connection

People and pooches alike enjoyed the day on May 19at Munson Park for the second annual Canines For A Cause, held my Cancer Connection volunteers Mary Goode and Rolfe. The photo contest prior to the event raised $357.

The winners were Handsome Jack, Are you Real, Best Friends and Not Playboy, Play dog. The contest for the Cutest Canine Outfit was Bentley the Sheriff (owner Michele Bodoh), Waggiest Tail was Zoey (owner  Simone Cossette), Best Six Legs was Ella  and owner Tina Gere, The Dog the Judges Most Want to Take Home was Colby Jack (owner Mike Goode), and Best Trick winner was Chance (owner Doug Kuras).

A big thank you to everyone who participated, including the sponsors: Dr. Irving Hwang, United Way of Monroe, Delores Barron, Masserant’s Feed and Grain, Ark Animal Clinic, Ida Farmer’s Co-Op, David Bezek, D.V.M., Phd. And Tim Horton’s on Monroe Street.

Also, this event wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers: Karen Burger and family, Helen Burger, Debbie Prysby, LaDonna Hartsing, and Lisa Stenman from Karmanos Radiation, Shirley Goodnuff, Arnold Goodnuff, Charlotte Frary, Mary Faryniarz, Joan Pierson, Karen Whitmire, Connie Carroll of United Way and David Bezek, D.V.M.

Mercy Memorial Cancer Connection is a United Way organization and a program of Mercy Memorial Hospital.  Volunteers drive patients to cancer centers within a 50-mile radius of MMHS, fuel cards assist those who can drive themselves. Nutritional supplements, medical supplies, support groups, wigs, hats and scarves are all provided on a donation basis to residents of Monroe County. 

Blacktop Bash 2013

Mercy Memorial Hospital System announces the lineup for the 2nd Annual Blacktop Bash on Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, 2013 at Dolce Vita/Nick & Nino’s Parking Lot, 391 N. Telegraph Road, Monroe. There is a $5 General Admission Fee and all proceeds benefit the MMHS Pharmacy Assistance Fund and the construction of a healing garden at the Monroe Cancer Center/Mercy Memorial Nursing Center.

The event is presented by: Dolce Vita Italian/Nick & Nino’s, Farm Bureau Insurance-Starr Agency and Monroe Bank and Trust. There will be great food prepared by Nick & Nino’s and cold beverages served with smiling faces in addition to local bands featured on the 768 sq. foot performance stage.

The event commences at 4 p.m. on Friday July 12 until midnight and at 9 p.m. Motor City Soul will perform. This popular Motown band will delight and entertain you as you dance the night away under the stars. A crowd favorite, these guys never disappoint.

Come back on Saturday, July 13 for the 5K Run/Walk, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The 5K Run/Walk begins with a 9 a.m. start. The cost is $16 pre-registration fee through June 30 and $20 registration fee July 1 through race day.

This accurately-measured course begins and ends at Nick & Nino’s and winds through the nearby neighborhood. Immediately following the 5K, stay for Kegs ‘n’ Eggs at Nick & Nino’s – which is held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your family and friends to cheer you on as you complete the 5k, then stay for breakfast and the reggae/island music of Crucial 420! Nick & Nino’s will open early to serve you while you revel in the camaraderie and festive atmosphere! There is NO admission fee for Kegs ‘n’ Eggs.

Saturday, July 13 at 9 p.m. is when the nationally-traveled Journey Tribute Band, The Rock Show, takes the stage. Based in mid-Michigan, The Rock Show returns this year with their unique style and uncanny similarities to one of the 1980’s hottest bands!

On both Friday and Saturday visit The Man Cave as members of the illustrious “Man Tree” Committee are your hosts in the Man Cave both nights at the Bash! Stop by to try your luck against our blackjack dealers and earn chances to win great raffle prizes! Blackjack not your thing? Raffle tickets to win a large-screen television, a La-Z-Boy chair OR a rifle will be available for purchase!

Mercy Memorial Hospital System wishes to thank the platinum sponsors: Tiffany’s Pizza, Friendly Ford Lincoln, ProMedica, Marsch Creative and Stanford Allen Chevrolet Cadillac; gold sponsors: Meridian Health Plan,
Finishers Unlimited of Monroe and Bacarella Funeral Home, Inc.; silver sponsors: Global Digital Printing, CBC Credit Services, Inc., KeyBank and Foot and Ankle Specialists, P.C.; 5K sponsors: Mind Body Balance, The Wrapped Gift, Finishers Unlimited of Monroe, Laboe Orthodontics, KeyBank and Tenneco. Also, thank you to the giveaway sponsor: Sieb Plumbing & Heating.

MMHS also appreciates the support of our Marketing Partners: Guardian Self-Storage, Jack’s Lawn Service, Masserant’s Feed & Grain – Newport, A-1 Auto Center, Inc., Monroe Charter Township Fire Department, Partyville Liquor, Snow’s Nursery, Victory Lane Quick Oil Change, Riverside Mini Mart, Paul’s Quality Collision, Nortel Lanes, Lino’s Car Wash and
Cashland Financial Services. In addition, we thank those for the donated products and services of: Staelgraeve-Turner Electric, Keith Masserant, Bryant Asphalt Paving, Cumulus Radio, Stevens Disposal, Bay Corrugated, Inc., Ace Commercial and Industrial Supply, Baker’s Gas & Welding Supplies, Serv-All Services, Inc., Quality Inn and Suites, The Coca-Cola Company and Scotsman Improvements, Al Peake and Sons, Daughter Too Complete Food Service, Masserant’s Feed and Grain, Reflections by Carey and Global Digital Printing.

MMHS is also grateful to our volunteers from Monroe County Community Credit Union. (Sponsorship listings reflect those received prior to June 12, 2013).

**Be sure to LIKE “Blacktop Bash Monroe” on Facebook for up-to-the-minute updates from now through July!**

Mercy Memorial Hospital System Sponsors Free Skin Cancer Screening

Mercy Memorial Hospital System announced its annual skin cancer screening to be held 3:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Corporate Connection Office, 901 North Macomb Street, Suite 1, Monroe. No appointment is necessary.
Four dermatologists will perform the skin cancer screenings. Each participant will receive a copy of the doctor’s observations during the screening to take home with them. This program is open to all members of the community and will be seen on a first come, first seen basis.

Skin cancer affects one in five Americans. If detected and treated early, it has a 99 percent cure rate.
Make checking your skin a daily habit. Watch for spots that are changing, growing, oddly shaped or those that may itch or bleed. If you notice a spot displaying any of these symptoms, call your primary care physician or a dermatologist for a more thorough examination. Protect yourself every time you are out in the sun with protective clothing and a good sunscreen product. Avoid tanning beds.

For more information about the free skin cancer screening program, call (734) 240-4162.