Rex Volunteers Shine Fur Friends Brighten Rex Patients’ Days News from Rex Healthcare Foundation Spring 2012
”Ziti“ brightens days for Rex patients
2012 Rex Open May 31 - June 3
Rex is giving new meaning to
Man’s Best Friend
Last fall, three very special certified pet therapy dogs participated in a six-
month pilot program called Fur Friends. The program consisted of therapy dogs visiting with oncology patients, once a week at Rex Hospital. During the pilot, dogs visited with 47 patients providing a change of daily hospital routine, relieving stress and bringing joy and smiles to patients, visitors and co-workers. The program was an amazing success!
Ruby Sue, a hound-mix breed and co-worker Doug Poe, her handler, were the
first to volunteer their time. Upon arriving to the oncology unit, Doug and Ruby
more patients and believe that a
Sue received a list of patients who were awaiting their visit. Everyone on the unit
visit with a Fur Friend can really be
was excited to bring this type of therapy to patients. Studies show that aside from
the “best medicine” of all,” said Rex
improving morale of patients, regular animal contact can also reduce anxiety in
Healthcare Foundation Development
cancer patients. The Fur Friends Program has also proven this to be true.
Officer Allison Strickland.
The first patient that received a Fur Friend’s visit was an older gentleman,
With the Fur Friends Program
weak and very sick with cancer. His family was visiting him and had requested the
rapidly expanding, more patients can
pet visit in hopes that it would lift his sprits. Doug then positioned Ruby Sue on
expect to have their day brightened
the bed next to the patient. It was almost as if she knew what the patient needed.
with a pet visit. The therapy dogs will
She snuggled her way towards him, as he sat on the side of the bed. At first, it
continue to roam the halls of Rex,
Safety First Before the dogs begin their patient visits, they must be approved by an agency that certifies therapy dogs. The dogs go through intensive training and behavioral tests to insure that they will interact well with patients. Before each visit, the dogs are examined to make sure they are healthy and not carrying anything that could make a patient sick. During visits, patients have a clean sheet over their bed and receive hand sanitizer before and after the visit.
was unclear if he was enjoying the visit, and then it
bringing happiness and peace of mind
happened…he smiled. And then his daughter smiled.
to patients.
It was so contagious that everyone present began to
smile, and there was not a dry eye in the room. Soon
about the Fur Friends program,
enough, the patient was patting Ruby Sue’s fur and
please contact Sherry Raymond,
posing for pictures. After the visit, Doug and Ruby
Rex Healthcare volunteer services
Sue left the room knowing that the program was off
coordinator at (919) 784-2297.
to a great start.
Many patients find the company of
a pet relaxing and uplifting. During visits, patients have a clean sheet over their bed and receive hand sanitizer before and after the visit.
Due to the overwhelming
success of the program, Fur Friends is already expanding beyond the oncology floor and three new dogs were added in January to other units. “We are thrilled to offer this program to
For questions or more information
Sunday, May 27
Kick off Your Summer & Be Part of the Action
Junior Invitational
Parking available at TPC Wakefield clubhouse. No public concessions available.
May 31 – June 3
Tuesday, May 29
TPC Wakefield Plantation
Professional Practice Round
Course open to the public.
First Tee of Triangle Kids' Clinic
Open to ages 8-18 at TPC Wakefield Plantation. Free to the first 100 kids. Visit RexHospitalOpen.com for details and registration.
The Nationwide Tour is the official proving ground of the PGA TOUR. Founded and
operated by the PGA TOUR, the Nationwide Tour identifies players who are ready to compete on golf’s greatest stage. Nationwide Tour alumni have amassed more than 350 PGA TOUR wins, including 14 major championships.
Join us for a week packed with great golf, food and family fun at the 2012 Rex
Hospital Open. In an effort to enhance the fan experience, this year's tournament week will include expanded public seating on the 18th hole’s “Hurricanes Bench,” as well as new food vendors and locations.
Complimentary parking is available Thursday through Sunday at Rex Healthcare of
Gates Open at 8 a.m. ThursdaySunday. Free parking & shuttles at Rex Healthcare of Wakefield 11200 Governor Manly Way, Raleigh.
Thursday, May 31 First Round
Tee times begin at 7 a.m.
Wakefield. Free shuttles will bring spectators to the admission area and make stops on
Friday, June 1
the course throughout Championship play (Thursday through Sunday).
Tee times begin at 7 a.m.
Tickets are available at the gate or online at
RexHospitalOpen.com or by calling (919) 784-OPEN
$10 Ground Pass valid all week Kids 16 & under admitted free with a ticketed adult $50 Champion's Club includes VIP access to our Champion’s Club, complimentary snacks & beverages
Second Round
Saturday, June 2 Third Round & Family Fun Day
Activities for kids & families
Sunday, June 3 Final Round & Service Personnel Appreciation Day
Sponsored by First Citizens Bank
The 2012 Rex Hospital Open is proud to work with regional non-profit organizations to give back to the community through our Charity Ticket Program. Visit the tournament website to see participating non-profit organizations. More than 500 volunteers See the back page for
$2 OFF Rex Open Admission
make this premiere sporting event possible! If you’re interested in volunteering, visit rexhospitalopen.com.
Active & former military, police, fire & EMS receive free admission with proper ID US Army Golden Knights demonstration jump Trophy Presentation immediately following play Proceeds benefit Rex Cancer Center, supporting patients from discovery to recovery
Breast Cancer Patients Benefit from Generosity of Physicans & Foundation You have breast cancer.
Leaving the doctor’s office, Brenda had a lot on her mind. What course of breast cancer treatment would
be available to her? Without insurance, how would she pay for it? After weighing her options carefully with her surgeon, Daniel Vig, M.D., of Rex Surgical Services, she decided a mastectomy offered her the best chance at a long, cancer-free future. “I was afraid it would come back. I know it still can, but this is one less thing for me to worry about.”
Cancer doesn't care if you have insurance.
A lack of insurance can have a profound impact on a woman’s health. According to a study conducted at
Virginia Commonwealth University Health Care System, uninsured women are more likely to be diagnosed with larger tumors. As a result, uninsured women are more likely than insured women to have a mastectomy (37 percent versus 26 percent).
The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires all insurance companies that cover
mastectomies to also cover reconstruction of the breast. However, uninsured women have very few options when it comes to reconstructive surgery.
The founder of Renaissance Plastic Surgery, Keelee MacPhee, M.D., was well-acquainted with the plight
of uninsured breast cancer patients in need of reconstructive surgery. Dr. MacPhee approached the Rex Breast Care Center about working together to find a way to offset the costs of reconstructive surgery for uninsured patients. The Rex Breast Care Center turned to the Rex Healthcare Foundation, which agreed to provide funding for a limited number of uninsured breast cancer patients to receive reconstructive surgery. Under the partnership, the Rex Breast Care Center identified women in need of the program, Dr. MacPhee provided the services, and the Rex Healthcare Foundation provided funding to cover the costs associated with Dr. MacPhee’s services, which she offered at a greatly reduced rate.
Her patient's comfort is her utmost concern.
“She makes you feel so comfortable,” recalled Brenda. “She will walk out to
greet you in the lobby and just take you by the hand.”
“Dr. MacPhee provides a valuable service to women in some of the most
difficult medical and social situations. She is helping to provide physical and emotional restoration. These women are reliant on the compassionate and selfless care of physicians like Dr. MacPhee to provide the services that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them,” said David Eddleman, M.D. of Rex Surgical Services, Chairman of the Rex Breast Care Committee.
Dr. MacPhee has helped these breast cancer survivors face the future with
renewed confidence. “Even though I am scarred, I feel like a whole person. It was important to me to feel like the person I was,” said Brenda, who is receiving chemotherapy treatments at Rex Cancer Center of Wakefield. “Everyone throughout this process has been so kind. I could not have done it without them.”
•
Rex Healthcare and the Rex Healthcare Foundation use donations and grants to provide breast cancer screening and treatment to thousands of uninsured women each year. The generosity of partner practices such as Rex Surgical Services, Raleigh Radiology, and Renaissance Plastic Surgery help make this possible. If you would like to support the Rex Breast Care Center and its services to uninsured women, please contact the Rex Healthcare Foundation at (919) 784-4424.
•
Organ Donation:
Help a Hero in Need
A positive, “can do” attitude in the face of adversity
are the words that come to mind when thinking about Rex Healthcare volunteer Wilma Miller.
More than 20 years ago, Wilma experienced a life-
threatening illness that caused her to lose her right arm and a kidney. Recognizing the need for amputees and their loved ones to have support and information, Wilma founded the Triangle Amputee Support Group and has spent years visiting with amputees, listening and providing support.
Wilma has been a Rex volunteer since 1987. Today,
Wilma is in need of a new kidney. And, she’s not alone. Last year, organ donors made more than 28,000 transplants possible. Another one million people received cornea and other tissue transplants that helped them recover from trauma, bone damage, spinal injuries, burns, hearing impairment and vision loss. Unfortunately, many people die while waiting for a donor organ that never comes. About 112,000 people currently await an organ transplant in the U.S.
The American Hospital Association has partnered
with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration to encourage donor registration, and engage more hospitals in this effort. Each April, new energy is infused in the campaign during organ donation awareness month.
“What I admire most about Wilma is her positive
spirit,” shared former Rex Hospital Open Director Bob Scott. “She can do anything and whatever she does she does with a smile. Wilma is a true healthcare hero.”
If you are interested in learning more about Wilma’s
Rex Society Spotlight
My first awareness of the Rex Foundation came at
a Medical Executive Committee meeting. Dr. Rig Patel did a brief education presentation, and I was both impressed and curious. That prompted me to find out more information and ultimately make a contribution to the Foundation and join the Rex Society.
I had been considering my charitable donation
budget for some time. I chose to make a gift to the Foundation because all of the monies collected go directly back to the hospital. They support a myriad of causes that allow services and care to be delivered to folks right here in Raleigh. In these challenging economic times, these contributions allow Rex Healthcare to continue to be a hospital that can meet the needs of our community.
As a physician practicing in Raleigh for more than
25 years, I have come to appreciate Rex as a hospital that has strived for compassionate and high quality medical care. This not only means an outstanding medical staff, with both sensitive and caring nurses and physicians, but a hospital leadership with an unwavering desire to be the very best.
Philanthropy is important to me. I’ve been very
fortunate. I have been blessed with talents and drive that have allowed me to successful. I feel it is my obligation to give back to help others in their time of need. In addition, it’s great to feel like I’m part of something that can do so much good!
I would encourage everyone to consider the
Rex Foundation as part of their charitable budget. It really is an organization that makes a difference for our community. Very Truly Yours,
Charles H. Nicholson, M.D. Anesthesiologist
need, connect with her on Facebook at: facebook. com/wilmaskidneydonorsearch. Or contact her transplant coordinator at UNC Hospitals, Amy Woodard, at (919) 843-0861. To learn more about organ donation in general, visit organdonor.gov.
For more information on how to join the Rex Society, please contact Rex Healthcare Foundation's director of major gifts, Kathy Stokes, at (919) 784-4475 or katherine.stokes@rexhealth.com.
The Rex Healthcare Foundation exists to support Rex Healthcare as it delivers the most advanced care for patients in our community.
A Patient’s Path
Cancer has been described as a
by Kenneth Zeitler, M.D.
the patient is typically referred for a
journey - both medical and emotional.
medical oncology evaluation, discus-
for a second opinion is also available at
Many patients who come to Rex for
sion and treatment plan.
UNC. This relationship is advantageous
cancer treatment are unaware of the
to both patient and physician. Patients
extensive medical team that will ac-
meetings are held to determine the
receive the best of care without having
company them on that trek. Join me as
best plan for each patient. These meet-
to travel to Chapel Hill, and physicians
we meet the members of this intricate
ings include surgeons, pathologists,
have access to educational opportuni-
network on a typical breast cancer
radiologists, radiation oncolo-
ties and clinical trials.
patient’s path:
gists, plastic surgeons, a research
team, a navigator and a tumor
Rex’s cancer registry which com-
registrar who consider all available
pares results with those generated na-
methods of treatment and followup.
tionally and documents the excellence
of our care team.
When a breast lump is detected, a
radiology technician and a radiologist evaluate the mass, looking for signs of malignancy and determining if the abnormality should be treated, dismissed or simply followed.
If x-ray and ultrasound suggest
cause for concern, the patient is referred to a surgeon for further evaluation and possible biopsy.
If a biopsy is performed, a pathol-
ogist and pathology technician examine the specimen to determine if malignancy is present and its specific nature.
Weekly multidisciplinary team
Because the pathway can some-
Consultation for unusual cases or
Finally, all patients are tracked by
times feel like a maze, a breast cancer navigator is assigned to all
patients – guiding them before, during
is less daunting when you know you
and after treatment.
are not alone. At Rex, we consider it
an honor to join patients on their very
The patient may also receive ancil-
Traveling into unknown territory
lary care from physical therapy,
personal cancer journey.
occupational therapy, speech
therapy, career counseling, finan-
an exceptional example of this compre-
cial counseling, peer and family
hensive approach to care and is proud
support, psychological counsel-
of its certification of excellence by the
ing, and nutritional support.
American College of Surgeons.
Rex is proud to be recognized as
If malignancy is confirmed, the pa-
tient discusses their options with their surgeon. Should surgery be the chosen course, a team of anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists work to provide a procedure that is as safe and pain free as possible.
Lab work conducted prior to sur-
gery is performed in the Rex Laboratories under strict quality control. After surgery, a pathologist makes a final evaluation, categorization and surgical staging (extent of disease).
Once the evaluation is complete,
Kenneth Zeitler, M.D., retired Rex oncologist, is a member of the Rex Healthcare Foundation, serving as Development Officer for the N.C. Cancer Hospital at Rex. Contact him at Kenneth.Zeitler@rexhealth.com or (919) 784-7689
Rex Healthcare Milestones, Activities & Opportunities Leading the Way • Rex Healthcare became the first hospital in N.C. to eliminate all fried foods from its menu – a move which will offer healthier options for patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers! • Rex Cancer Center of Wakefield partnered with the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center to offer a nationally-recognized sixweek program that helps cancer survivors make the transition to post-treatment care covering topics such as exercise, nutrition, emotional health, quality of life and medical concerns. • Rex Healthcare is the first Wake County hospital to offer a revolutionary type of heart valve replacement. The transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally-invasive procedure to treat patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the heart valve that supplies blood to the entire body. • The North Carolina Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named David Strong, president of Rex Healthcare, Corporate Chair of its 2012 Triangle Light The Night® Walk. The fundraising event, held each fall, raises money for cancer research and patient services. • Moody’s Investors Services has affirmed the strong ratings assigned to the bonds of UNC Hospitals and Rex Healthcare, reinforcing the financial strength of the two organizations. Rex received an A1 rating,
Would you like to receive Inspire electronically? Let us know at rex.foundation@rexhealth.com.
based on its market position in Wake County, increasing collaboration with UNC Hospitals and other factors.
We’ve Got Heart • Throughout the month of February, Rex Healthcare celebrated Heart Health Month with educational events and activities. Rex partnered with North Hills, the Carolina Hurricanes, and Applebee’s to raise awareness about heart health. • Rex Healthcare recently held a daylong educational event, Evolving Strategies in Heart & Vascular Medicine, for approximately 120 physicians, nurses, pharmacists and technicians. The event was made possible with support from Rex Healthcare Foundation.
On The Calendar This Spring • On April 12, Rex Healthcare partner, Raleigh Orthopaedic, will break ground for Raleigh Orthopaedic Surgery Center on Macon Pond Rd. • Saturday, April 21, Rex will be a part of Answers for Cancer, a 5K walk at PNC Arena presented by the Holt Foundation. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Holt Foundation’s kidscan! programs. • Tennis for Ta-Ta’s Tournament will be held on May 5 at TPC Wakefield Plantation. Funds raised will go towards the mobile mammography certificate program. • On Wednesday, May 9, Rex and Duke Raleigh hospitals will jointly host a free Community Health Screening Day at the N.C. State Fairgrounds Exposition Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This event will accommodate the uninsured and underinsured in need.
2011 Volunteer Snapshot
The more than 1,300 vol-
unteers of Rex Healthcare come from diverse backgrounds and interests. They chose to volunteer for many different reasons, but they have one purpose – to serve the patients, visitors and co-workers within the Rex community. The volunteers share their talents and complement firsthand the excellent, compassionate care provided by our co-workers.
Rex volunteers are priceless.
Number of hours of service 141,044 Number of active volunteers 1,310 Number of full-time staff for the same number of hours 75 Monetary value $3,012,700 Top Five Service Areas Wellness Centers Surgical Services - Raleigh, Cary & Wakefield Korner Gift Shop Cancer Centers - Raleigh & Wakefield Information Technology Information Desks
Hours 19,901 11,211 9,792 5,124 5,120
Non-Profit Org. US Postage
4420 Lake Boone Trail Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
PAID
Raleigh, NC 27607 Permit No. 1234
Visit our updated web page at rexhealth.com/foundation Gifts to Rex Healthcare are made through the Rex Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3). The Rex Healthcare Foundation can be reached at (919) 784-4424 or rex.foundation@rexhealth.com.
Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Rex Healthcare Foundation benefit from
Hoops for Hope
Rex was proud to be presenting sponsor of N.C. State University
women’s basketball team’s annual “Hoops for Hope” event on Sunday, Feb. 12. The event, which promoted early detection and awareness of breast cancer, featured cancer survivors and their families as well as the Rex Mobile Mammography Unit, which receives support from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
In 2011, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund awarded a grant to the Rex Healthcare
Mammography Units on the road. Our
Foundation in support of the digital mammography equipment on our second
units go to community and corporate
Mobile Mammography Unit. This grant was the final funding Rex needed to put the
sites to provide mammography exams
unit on the road.
to women across 14 counties.”
A Rex/UNC Cancer Care halftime
“The Rex Healthcare Foundation has formed relationships with the Kay
Yow Cancer Fund, Revlon , Susan G. Komen and Hologic to provide digital
ceremony honored survivors and
mammography exams for women regardless of whether they are insured or not,”
featured a special performance by
said Kelli Poe-Jones, Rex mammography services manager. “The Rex Healthcare
American Idol teen, Scotty McCreery,
Foundation has made it possible for Rex to have not one, but two Mobile
who sang “I Love You This Big.” More
®
than 8,000 people attended the event. May 31 – June 3, 2012 TPC Wakefield Plantation
$2 OFF Bring this ad to receive $2 off ticket admission on-site or use discount code OPEN2OFF at rexhospitalopen.com.
Rex Healthcare is proud to be the
official healthcare provider of the N.C. State Wolfpack.
You can support women in need
undergoing cancer treatment. Give online at rexhealth.com/foundation.