3 minute read
MEDICAL NEWS
Temperatures are not the only thing on the rise
Protect your skin from melanoma and sun damage
Warm, sunny days are right around the corner. While we revel in spring and look forward to summer, it is also a time to remember to be cautious in the sun and be aware of the dangers of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetimes. Research estimates that nonmelanoma skin cancer affects more than 3 million Americans each year. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common forms of NMSC, but if detected and treated early, those affected have a greater than 95 percent cure rate. Melanoma Monday stresses awareness, early detection and prevention of skin cancer.
In recognition of Melanoma Monday, Russell Medical is offering free skin cancer screenings in three convenient locations on Monday, May 2. Dr. Justin Vines and Jamie Peavy, CRNP, will conduct the screenings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Health Partners of New Site on state Route 22 East beside City Hall in New Site. Dr. Tate Hinkle and Kayla Tidwell, CRNP, will conduct the screenings at Medical Park Family Care on state Route 49 in Dadeville from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Dr. Steve Mackey, a dermatologist, will conduct the screenings in Alexander City from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at UAB Medicine–Russell Medical Cancer Center. No
appointments are needed.
Congratulations are in order once again to Dr. Regina Phillips and her team at Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. For the sixth consecutive year, the center has received the Healogics Center of Distinction award. The center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfaction rates higher than 90 percent, Wound Adjusted Comprehensive Healing Rate greater than or equal to 75 percent and an Outlier Rate (those wounds that do not heal in 14 weeks) less than or equal to 16 percent.
Dr. Phillips also achieved the Healogics Specialty Physicians President’s Circle Award, which recognizes physicians who achieve a goal level on metrics tied to center operations. What all of this means in plain talk is that we have an awesome wound care center with a staff that offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from hard-to-heal wounds like diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds that do not heal in a reasonable amount of time.
We are proud of Dr. Phillips and her awesome team for their commitment to quality care and excellent outcomes.
May is quickly approaching, and that equates to two celebration weeks among hospitals across the country: National Nurses Week followed by National Hospital Week. The past two years have impacted employees in the healthcare realm in significant ways, and we are happy to be back to near normal operations. We invite our community to kick off Nurses Week by participating in a candlelight vigil to be held in front of the hospital on Monday, May 9, at 7 p.m.
This sentimental vigil honors all nurses, no matter where they work throughout our area. It also serves to remember those who worked in the nursing profession but are no longer with us. It would be our sincere honor to have you, our friends and neighbors, join us as we pay homage to the nursing profession.
MEDICAL NEWS Susan Foy
~ Susan Foy is the marketing director at Russell Medical.
