Sutter Health Cancer Services and Programs

A n n u a l S u m m a r y o f P r o g r a m A c t i v i t i e sSSMCSutter Solano Medical CenterRussell NeilsonMarketing CoordinatorSutter Solano Medical Center’sadvanced, full service cancer centeropened in November, providingcomprehensive cancer care andimproved access and convenience to thecommunity, whose residents can nowreceive the care they need locally.The cancer center offers a wide rangeof current technology, treatments andsupport services, all in a compassionate,patient-centered environment. Servicesinclude medical oncology, radiationoncology, surgery, and supportive andcontinuing care services. Many soothingelements are incorporated into thedesign of the cancer center, includingmassage therapy, a serenity roomfor patients and families, a fireplace,waterways and gardens to enhance thehealing process.Ongoing professional educationincludes a series of “Ask the Professor”lectures by local and national speakersand bimonthly tumor boards.Chemotherapy certification is providedfor oncology nurses.In addition to the opening of the newcancer center, Sutter Solano is preparingfor the ACoS accreditation, which setsthe standard for excellence in cancercare. This accreditation will take placethe first quarter of 2006.Cancer Program RecognizedThe Overflowing Cup Breast Health andWomen’s Empowerment Program is acommunity effort to educate African-American women about breast cancerand early detection. This past spring,Sutter Solano was honored by thisorganization with its first PartnershipAward for supporting and sponsoringArchitect’s rendition of the newcancer center, which opened inNovember 2005November 2004 groundbreaking forthe new cancer center: Bob Glasgow,John Ray, Craig Mulfrod,Mel Jordan, Terry Glubka, CEO,Annette Taylor, Dale Welsh,Beth Whatley and Tony Intintolicancer projects that specifically benefitthe African-American community.Partnering With the CommunityCommunity education programs andfree health screenings were offeredthroughout the year: skin cancer screeningsduring Skin Cancer AwarenessMonth and a prostate cancer lectureand screenings during Prostate CancerAwareness Month. Sutter Solano alsoorganized a Women’s Health day eventthat featured clinical breast exams,blood pressure, cholesterol and bloodsugar screenings, and free or low-costmammograms.Sutter Solano continues to participatein community events, such as theAmerican Cancer Society’s Relay forLife, Look Good Feel Better program,lectures to service organizations andnumerous community health fairs.Other venues for public educationinclude articles in Your Health (Sutter’squarterly health and informationmagazine), health columns in thelocal newspapers, messages on localradio, and brochures and flyers sentto physician offices and communitygroups.Sutter Solano partnered with theSolano Coalition for Better Health tocommission the Solano County PublicHealth Department to produce a reporton the major health issues affecting thecounty’s residents. The findings of thisreport, Health Disparity in Solano County,2004, indicate that Solano County hasexceptionally poor health outcomes inseveral critical areas, particularly withAfrican-Americans. A local physicianhas agreed to assist Sutter Solano inworking with the coalition to addressthe identified health disparities.Sutter Solano recently created apartnership with the Wellness Communityof San Francisco East Bay toserve people with cancer, their familymembers and friends by offering cancersupport groups to the Solano Countycommunity.2005 Annual Cancer Center Report — 2004 Statistical Review | 13