HJBR Nov/Dec 2019

Healthcare Journal of Baton Rouge I  NOV / DEC 2019 59 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalBR.com attendees free of charge at the inaugural event. “With this relaxed, family-friendly environment, we want to take some of the fear out of cancer education and early detection,” said Johnnay Benjamin, the Cancer Center’s early detection and education director. “Finding cancer early is the best offense when it comes to fighting the dis- ease, and events like Family Health Day fulfill this important need in the Baker community.” “We are so glad that with this partnership with Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center, we are able to help provide potentially life-saving services here in Baker,” said Cynthia Grimes, museum director. “The Baker Heritage Museum is proud to advance the health and well- being of our community.” To speak to the importance of early detection, event champions were on hand, including Baker Mayor Darnell Waites, a prostate cancer survivor, and Lynette Matusicky and Betty Dunn, breast cancer survivors. Baton Rouge Rehab Launches Class toManage Pain and its Emotional Impact Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital (BRRH) has launched a free pain management education class, providing education and techniques to manage pain outside of traditional medical man- agement, and with a focus on the emotional aspect of pain. The class is geared toward those with acute pain -- from a recent injury, illness, or surgery, for example – as opposed to chronic pain. The unique class model features a licensed clinical social worker and a physical therapist working together with the class from the same philoso- phy of wellness. “We know people want healthier ways to work through their pain, before it gets out of control, and this class will dive into a variety of non-opioid treatment options,” said Melissa Shaw, a licensed clinical social worker at BRRH. “There’s a gap in our community for this type of education, and we see that every day in our own pain management and therapy departments.” Breast &GYNCancer PavilionLaunches ‘Hope Notes’ to ProvideEncouragement for Patients A caring message can come from 10 or 10,000 miles away, but the hope and motivation it inspires remains a powerful tool in the healing process for cancer patients. This is the impetus behind Hope Notes, a new movement developed by Woman’s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center for patients at its Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion.  Anyone can visit  breastandgyncancer.org/ hope to send a free personalized message to a breast or gynecologic cancer patient, and the sender can choose to electronically sign his or her name, or have it delivered anonymously. Users can select from a number of design options and include a prepared inspirational message or com- pose one of their own. Hope Notes will then be printed and hand-delivered to patients when they arrive for treatment. “Positive interactions and communication with patients has shown to enhance clinical treat- ments, so we are excited to bring Hope Notes to our patients,” said Cynthia Rabalais, executive director of the Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion. “It’s also a wonderful outlet for those who want to do something to help cancer patients, yet may not have other means to do so. It’s an easy, but pow- erful way to make a difference.” The Breast & GYN Cancer Pavilion is kicking off Hope Notes in September to coincide with National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month followed by National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. “Taking the patient’s entire cancer experience into consideration is core to how we treat patients at the Pavilion,” said Linda Lee, vice president, Baker Health Day Baker residents recently took proactive measures to protect their health by participating in Family Health Day at the Baker Heritage Museum and Culture Center. Pictured, left to right, are Betty Dunn, breast cancer survivor; Johnnay Benjamin, early detection and education director, Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center; Cynthia Grimes, director of Baker Heritage Museum and Culture Center; and Darnell Waites, Baker mayor.