News from Piedmont Fayette Hospital

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Receives Accreditation by the ICAEL

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (February 1, 2012)—Piedmont Fayette Hospital has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in the area of`Adult Transthoracic by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL).

Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of echocardiography procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these tests are very helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on echocardiography testing. The skill of the echocardiology sonographer performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing

Accreditation by the ICAEL means that Piedmont Fayette Hospital has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The ICAEL grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.

“ICAEL accreditation is a ‘seal of approval’ that patients can rely on as an indication that Piedmont Fayette Hospital has been carefully critiqued on all aspects of our operations considered relevant by medical experts in the field of echocardiography,” said Darrell Cutts, president and CEO of Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “ICAEL accreditation is widely respected within the medical community, as illustrated by the support of the national medical societies related to echocardiography medicine, which include physicians and sonographers,” he said.

This is the third accreditation Piedmont Fayette Hospital has received from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission, which provides facility accreditation programs to ensure quality patient care within a specific medical specialty, including vascular, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology/nuclear medicine/PET, magnetic resonance, computed tomography and carotid stenting.

Start 2012 Smoke Free With Smoking Cessation Clinic

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Piedmont Fayette Hospital offers opportunities for New Year’s resolution success.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (December 30, 2011)—This holiday season, scores of Georgians will make New Year’s resolutions to quit smoking. Sadly, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show less than three percent of smokers successfully quit on their own. To combat those odds, Piedmont Fayette Hospital is offering the first of several six-week smoking cessation clinics in 2012. The 90-minute sessions begin Tuesday, January 10 at 6 p.m. Cost for the entire course is only $25 to cover materials.

“Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death in Georgia and Piedmont Fayette Hospital is committed to doing our part for the safety of patients and our community by eliminating tobacco use on hospital property beginning in May 2012,” says Freedom From Smoking facilitator, Michelle Sullivan, RRT. “For those individuals who wish to stop smoking for good, these classes are led by specially trained, American Lung Association instructors who understand the smoking addiction and can provide the best support for each participant.”

More than 1.4 million adults in metro Atlanta smoke cigarettes and the Georgia Department of Public Health attributes one out of every six deaths, or more than 10,300 adult Georgians, to tobacco-related diseases. In addition, approximately $1.8 billion in healthcare costs among adults aged 18 years and older are attributed to tobacco use. Beginning May 21, 2012, Piedmont Fayette Hospital will join hospitals across the state and around the country in prohibiting all tobacco use on hospital property.

Freedom From Smoking clinic classes use a positive behavior approach to demonstrate ways for participants to become nonsmokers. Facilitators understand nicotine addiction and offer solutions that greatly increase each individual’s chances of success. Participants are encouraged to pick a quit date and stick to it. Exercise, diet and sleep are also highlighted as ways to reduce the stress of quitting. But most importantly, the classroom environment helps ensure that no one has to quit alone.

The first round of classes are held at Piedmont Fayette Hospital each Tuesday, beginning January 10 and ending February 14. An additional class will be held Thursday January 26 at 6 p.m.

Space in the class is limited, so call Link 2 Health at 1-866-900-4321 to register as soon as possible. For questions or a complete course schedule, call 770-719-6258 or visit piedmontfayette.org.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Names Chief Nursing Officer

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. – (December 27, 2011)—Piedmont Fayette Hospital has named Judy Long, RN, MS, CNS, chief nursing officer. Long joined the hospital in 2008 as director of inpatient services. Previously, she held various positions at Henry Medical Center, South Fulton Medical Center and Glens Falls Hospital in Glen Falls, N.Y., and has spent time as a healthcare consultant at Ernst & Young, LLP.

Judy Long

“Piedmont Fayette Hospital nurses are known for their consistent and compassionate care to our patients,” said Michael Burnett, chief operating officer of Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “Judy’s passion for the profession, experience and commitment to quality make her a truly excellent leader for nursing.”

Long has a master’s of science degree in medical and surgical as well as medical/surgical and oncology clinical nurse specialist degree. She attended the nurse practitioner certificate program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

For more information about Piedmont Fayette Hospital, visit piedmontfayette.org.

Piedmont Newnan Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital Implement Tobacco Free Campuses

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Hospitals announce new policy to take effect in 2012.

FAYETTEVILLE, GA. (November 14, 2011)—November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Piedmont Newnan Hospital and Piedmont Fayette Hospital are teaming up to announce the adoption of a new tobacco free campus policy. Beginning January 1, 2012, Piedmont Newnan Hospital will join hospitals across the state and around the country in prohibiting all tobacco use on hospital property. Piedmont Fayette Hospital will become completely tobacco free May 21, 2012. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to provide information and education about a disease that kills more Americans than any other cancer.

“Smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, and second hand smoke, in particular, places our patients at risk,” said Jeffrey R. Folk, M.D., vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer for Piedmont Newnan Hospital. “As a healthcare leader, it is our responsibility to provide excellence in patient care, maintain a safe, healing environment and promote healthy lifestyles. We believe maintaining a tobacco free campus is the right thing to do for everyone involved in that process.”

The new policy prohibits the use of any tobacco products inside or outside any Piedmont Newnan Hospital or Piedmont Fayette Hospital location. The policy applies to all employees, physicians, patients, visitors, volunteers, contractors and vendors while they are on property. This includes all buildings, entrances, walkways, grounds, parking lots and in vehicles parked anywhere on Piedmont property. In addition, the odor of tobacco smoke and other smokeless tobacco products must not be detectable on any physician, employee or volunteer at any time.

“While we hope our new policy will encourage both patients and visitors to stop using tobacco products, it not our intent to dictate what they choose to do with respect to using tobacco products when not on our property,” said Fred Willms, M.D., vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer for Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “Our tobacco-free campus policy simply means individuals may not use tobacco products on Piedmont Newnan Hospital or Piedmont Fayette Hospital property. We also understand that tobacco cessation can be a difficult challenge for many, and so both hospitals have teamed up to provide tobacco cessation information and classes in support of those who want to quit.”

According to Lung Cancer Alliance-Georgia, lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death among men and women in Georgia. This year alone, 6,150 Georgians will be diagnosed and 4,660 will die from the disease, accounting for 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the state. More than 1.4 million adults in metro Atlanta smoke cigarettes and the Georgia Department of Public Health attributes one out of every six deaths, or more than 10,300 adult Georgians, to tobacco-related diseases. In addition, approximately $1.8 billion in healthcare costs among adults aged 18 years and older are attributed to tobacco use.

Tobacco cessation classes are currently offered at both hospital locations. For more information, visit piedmontnewnan.org, piedmontfayette.org or register by calling call Link2Health at 1-866-900-4321. Additional tobacco cessation information is available by calling the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line (1-877-270-7867) or by visiting the Live Healthy Georgia website at livehealthygeorgia.com.

American Red Cross Calls on Fayette County Citizens for Help

Mon, 7 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary hosts blood drive November 10.

FAYETTEVILLE, GA. (November 7, 2011)—Every day in Fayetteville, someone needs a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, the need for blood far exceeds donations. To help meet this need, Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, November 10, from noon to 5 p.m. Life-saving blood donors should report to the hospital, on the third floor of Building 1279 in Conference Room C.

Because blood has a limited shelf life, the need for blood is constant. Donating blood is a simple process that helps to save more than five million people in need of blood transfusions each year in the United States. Blood is needed every two seconds for emergency medical situations and is often needed for the treatment of accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs and surgery patients.

All blood types are needed, but type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage.

Donors must be 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors must not have given blood in the last 56 days. Call the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary office at 770-719 -7098 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome; however appointments will be honored first.

Score One for the Team and Get Screened!

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

The DaVinci Surgcal System

WHAT:
Join Piedmont Fayette Hospital for a
men’s health information expo and
FREE cancer screenings. Participants
will have an opportunity to speak with physicians and test drive a daVinci
surgical robot.

September is national prostate cancer awareness month and a reminder that
early detection is critical. Each year,
more than 186,000 men learn they have this disease. Prostate cancer is the
second most common type of cancer among men in the United States.

Free information includes topics like cardiac health, sleep health, nutrition and fitness as well as understanding risk factors and treatment options for prostate health.

WHO:
John Abbott, M.D., Fernando Duralde, M.D. and Scott Shelfo, M.D., of Georgia Urology

WHEN:
Thursday, September 29, from 4 until 6 p.m.
Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Fayette Hospital
1255 Highway 54 West, Suite 3100
Fayetteville, Ga. 30214

HOW:
The program is free; however participants must register and prequalify for free screenings. Call 770-719-6060 for reservations. For more information about the Cancer Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, visit piedmontfayette.org/littlec.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Offers Twice-Monthly Mammogram Saturdays

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

Sessions on first and third Saturdays of each month

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (September 12, 2011)—Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center offers mammograms and bone density screenings on the first and third Saturday of each month, at 1279 Highway 54 West, in Suite 120. The popular Saturday sessions have been expanded, allowing women with busy weekday schedules to take charge of their health.

In the United States, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes. Eighty percent of these women do not have any of the reported risk factors, other than being female and aging. The key to surviving breast cancer is early diagnosis. Saturday mammogram appointments at the outpatient center are recommended for women over age 40.

The Women’s Imaging Center team at Piedmont Fayette Hospital is comprised of a dedicated staff of board certified radiologists, mammography technologists, patient representatives and support personnel. They work together using the latest digital equipment and techniques to achieve early diagnosis and optimal treatment. The center’s mammography services are certified by the Federal Drug Administration and accredited by the American College of Radiology.

Even though there has been a decline in the rate of deaths from breast cancer in recent years, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Although no screening test is 100 percent effective, the combination of routine self breast-exam, annual clinical breast exam and mammography have been shown to be a very effective means of screening for breast disease. When detected early, the chance for successful treatment is much higher.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The Center is the only one in Fayette county and currently one of only 16 such centers in Georgia. To receive the prestigious designation indicates a genuine commitment of excellence for patients. This unique recognition is earned by successfully achieving accreditation in Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Breast Ultrasound and Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy.

To schedule a mammogram, contact the Women’s Imaging Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital at 770-719-7007. For more information on the Women’s Imaging Center, visit piedmontfayette.org.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Offers Free Healthy Heart Education

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (August 31, 2011)—Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In an effort to better educate the local community on this deadly disease, the cardiac rehabilitation team at Piedmont Fayette Hospital offers free monthly classes lead by exercise physiologists and registered nurses. The two hour classes are held the first Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. on the Piedmont Fayette Hospital campus, in the 1267 medical office building, in suite 3500.

“Education is the key to preventing and managing heart disease,” said Donna Callahan, clinical lead exercise physiologist. “Understanding the basics of a healthy diet and regular exercise plan are only the beginning. Studies show that almost half of sudden cardiac deaths occur outside a hospital. In this class we discuss specific risk factors as well as how to recognize the early warning signs of heart disease.”

According to the CDC, every year about 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack. An additional 470,000 who have already had one or more heart attacks have another attack. In 2010, heart disease is estimated to have cost the United States $316.4 billion, including the cost of health care services, medications and lost productivity.
Space in the class is limited, so call 770.719.7095 to register. For a listing of other educational classes offered at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, visit piedmontfayette.org.

American Red Cross Calls on Fayette County Citizens for Help

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary hosts blood drive September 8.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (August 30, 2011)—The need for blood transfusions is far outpacing donations. In response to this nationwide need, the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, September 8, from noon to 5 p.m. Life-saving blood donors should report to the hospital, on the third floor of Building 1279 in Conference Room C.

All blood types are needed, but type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage.

Donors must be 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors must not have given blood in the last 56 days. Call the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary office at 770-719-7098 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome; however appointments will be honored first.

Puttin’ On The Pink

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

CONYERS, Ga. (August 30, 2011)—Piedmont Fayette Cancer Center will be the beneficiary of a truly unique event! The Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association (GDCTA) will show their beautiful horses as riders and their mounts will be Puttin’ On The Pink to vie for “Best in Pink Awards” at their Atlanta National Fall Dressage & CT Schooling Show. In addition, scores of local pleasure riders will be hitting the trail before converging at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia. All this ‘horse business’ will take place on Saturday, October 15th in partnership with Piedmont Fayette Cancer Center , all to place Pink Kick-Starter™ Kits directly into the hands of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Each and every day millions of women are diagnosed with breast cancer.   The voyage through treatment requires perseverance and confidence. Navigating the journey requires organization and structure. A very heartfelt and personal creation by Atlanta artist Tia Lynn, The Pink Kick-Starter™ Kit includes a beautiful hardback organizer, journal, relaxing meditation CD and much, much more all in a specially designed carrying pack.   Every page in the organizer is graced with bright, joyful artwork designed to encourage and inspire.

Following the GDCTA Schooling Show, the Puttin on the Pink Party kicks off at 5:00 p.m. Nashville recording artist, David St. Romain, will provide live entertainment and Proof of the Pudding will provide dinner and libations. Attendees can partake of the artists’ show and sale at The Gallery at the Paddock, silent and live auctions, raffles, and more, all while taking pleasure in the beauty of dressage competition or just plain fun of trail riding.

October is breast cancer awareness month and GDCTA members and trail enthusiasts are riding to make a difference in someone’s life. For details about GDCTA and the “Puttin’ On The Pink “ Schooling Show, visit www.GDCTA.org.   Visit www.pinkkickstarter.org for information about the PKS kit and how you can help. Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Designated an ACR Breast Imaging Center of Excellence

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (August 10, 2011) – Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center has been designated Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Piedmont Fayette Hospital is the only hospital on the Southside to have received the prestigious designation and currently one of only 15 such centers in Georgia.

“In the United States, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes,” said David J. Bodne, M.D., medical director of the Woman’s Imaging Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “Early detection is key to increasing breast cancer survival rates and having a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence close to home is a comfort to many women in the Fayette community.”

By awarding facilities the status of a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, the ACR recognizes breast imaging centers that have earned accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy and breast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy).

Peer-review evaluations, conducted in each breast imaging modality by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field, have determined that this facility has achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.
For more information about Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s imaging services, visit piedmontfayette.org.

Turning Pointe of Dance Makes Donation to Piedmont Fayette Hospital Cancer Wellness

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Students donate proceeds of recital admissions.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (July 19, 2011) – The “Big C” is no match for some of Fayetteville’s smaller residents. Young dancers from Turning Pointe of Dance and the Whitewater High School dance department donated proceeds from their “Dance for Life” recital to Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Fayette Hospital.

Students donate proceeds of recital admissions.

“We wanted to teach the kids that they can dance from their hearts for a great cause,” said Kelly Wurster, owner of Turning Pointe of Dance studio. “We are proud to have the Piedmont Fayette Cancer Center in our community to help our families and friends. It was our honor to support the Center and help spread the word about Cancer Wellness.”

Wurster, whose mother-in-law, Charlotte Godbee, is currently fighting cancer, coordinated the event and asked Tavari Taylor, program coordinator of Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, to attend. Tavari was on hand to provide literature and information on the free, comprehensive services and programs that Cancer Wellness offers, for guests of the recital.

“We are blessed to be in a community that believes in supporting these programs,” said Taylor. “Every gift makes a difference at Cancer Wellness.”

For more information about Cancer Wellness programs or services at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, visit piedmontfayette.org/littlec.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Waives Fitness Center Initiation Fees in July

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Expert offers summer exercise tips.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (June 30, 2011)—Now that summer is officially here, many are searching for ways to stay healthy and look their best whether it’s at the beach or enjoying the outdoors close to home. Throughout the month of July, Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Fitness Center is waiving its $50 initiation fee and offering one free personal training session with any new membership.

New members will receive a free fitness assessment and a customized program to help them reach their fitness goals. They will also find out what areas of fitness to concentrate on, how to exercise safely and monitor progress, and will be taught how to use the fitness center equipment.

Tips for Your Summer Health Success
Piedmont Fayette Hospital employs personal fitness experts who are available for Fitness Center members. Jamie Turner, lead exercise physiologist, offers five tips to get moving towards a healthy summer lifestyle.

Set short-term goals.
Keep it simple until you understand your body better. Whether it’s 25 pushups by the end of the first month or 25 minutes on the treadmill, start small and adjust. Whatever goals you set, keep them modest, write them down and mark them off as you achieve them.

Forget weight.
Make sure you don't set "weight" as your goal. Fat weighs less than muscle, so if you actually take a good approach to fitness, you'll lessen your body fat percentage and increase your muscle mass which allows you to burn more calories in the long run and turns you into a leaner, meaner machine.

Prepare for a healthy lifestyle.
When you are prepared, you are twice more than likely to succeed at your goal, whether you are trying to lose five or 40 pounds. Make it easy for yourself by keeping a gym bag with a change of workout clothes and shoes in your vehicle. Also, always carry healthy snacks to power you through your busy day.

Establish a routine.
Try to work out during the same time and days. This will make your workouts more manageable and easy to remember. When scheduling other events, you will know that your work out times are already accounted for and won’t be missed. Eventually your workouts will be as routine as taking your vitamins.

Don’t do it alone.
Find an experienced workout buddy who will help you take ownership of your work outs and guide you. A good buddy will inspire you and help you stick to your routine. Piedmont’s Fitness and Wellness Centers also offer opportunities for classes with instructors and work out with a group.

About Piedmont Fayette Hospital Fitness Center
Located across from the main hospital in the Fayette Professional Center, Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Fitness Center focuses on disease prevention, rehabilitation of injuries and maintenance of optimal health. The center is open to individuals in the community 14 years and older, and features state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength training equipment. Diabetes education, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology and a variety of group exercise classes are among the specialized educational services offered. There are also specialty programs including Cancer Wellfit®, pelvic pain and incontinence therapy, lymphedema therapy and joint replacement pre-op classes. For more information call 770-719-7290, or visit piedmontfayette.org.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary Helps Provide New Technology For Smallest Patients

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Latest technology neonatal beds. Watch the video.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (June 30, 2011) – Thanks to a generous donation from the Piedmont Fayette Hospital Auxiliary, some of the latest neonatal technology is now available to Fayette’s youngest and most delicate patients. The Giraffe OmniBed combines advanced technology and innovative design to provide a developmentally-supportive, family-centered, critical care environment for NICU babies. The Giraffe OmniBed allows physicians and nurses to care for and monitor premature infants with minimal disturbance.

OmniBed

“We wanted to give the hospital something really spectacular,” said Joan Ingram, the Auxiliary president for Piedmont Fayette Hospital who championed this gift to the growing NICU. “The community voiced their support for more advanced neonatal services during our “Keep Babies in Fayette” campaign. We knew that we wanted these babies to have the best technology to promote their growth and to provide comfortable, easy access for caregivers and parents.”

Premature babies can be placed directly in the bed after delivery and then transported to the NICU and cared for without any additional handling of the baby. The Giraffe technology is brought into the delivery room whenever there has been a notification about a high-risk delivery. The bed contains everything required to care for newborns including quick and easy patient access, softer support surface, an integrated scale for accurate assessment of babies’ growth and development as well as the ability to control heat, humidity, oxygen, light and noise.

“This technology is used for extremely premature infants as it helps support delicate thermal needs while reducing environmental stress that can be challenging to the baby’s health,” said Bernie Hinton, director of women and children services at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “We are grateful for this gift from the Auxiliary. In fact, we put it to good use on the first day it was brought to the hospital.”
For more information about Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s neonatal services, visit piedmontfayette.org.

Cancer Center Task Force Marks Success

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Fayette community members’ passion now a reality for county.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (June 29, 2011)—A little more than a year ago, cancer patients in Fayetteville had to travel out of the county to seek comprehensive cancer care. Having more medical oncology services and cancer wellness services close to home was only a dream for many.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Cancer Task force members pictured left to right are Vicki Turner; Leigh Ann Harris; Jonathan Bender, M.D.; Doug Mickey and Dave Lee, DMD. Not pictured are Alice Ramsey, Sheri Waynick and George Martin.

Thanks to the volunteer members of Piedmont Fayette Hospital’s Cancer Task Force who set out on a mission in 2008, that dream is now a reality and the “Big C” is a lot smaller in Fayetteville. The new 10,000 square-foot Piedmont Fayette Hospital Cancer Center opened its doors on June 24, 2010 with an arsenal of new equipment and services aimed at fighting cancer. With the Cancer Task Force at the helm, more than $500,000 has been raised in private gifts from the local community for the cancer wellness center.

“This is a dream come true for so many, and a welcome relief for those fighting cancer on the Southside, said Sheri Waynick. “This has been a labor of love for those of us involved with the task force. We have each had our own personal experience with cancer and know first-hand the importance of good care close to home. It’s a comfort to know this wonderful resource is available to our friends and neighbors should the need arise.”

The Piedmont Fayette Hospital Cancer Taskforce is a diverse group of volunteers from across the local community that has worked tirelessly over the past few years to help bring comprehensive cancer services to Fayette County. Members of this group are: Alice Ramsey, a breast cancer survivor who lost her father to the same disease; Leigh Ann Harris, a lifelong Fayette resident who lost her son to a battle with leukemia when he was 9 years old; Vicki Turner, who has been the caregiver for her husband when he was treated for cancer several years; Dave Lee, D.M.D., a local dentist who supported his wife Cheryl through her treatments for breast cancer; Doug Mickey, local business owner; Sheri Waynick, breast cancer survivor and Jonathan Bender, M.D., oncologist with Peachtree Hematology and Oncology and medical director of Piedmont Fayette Hospital Cancer Center.

“The success of this new center has been overwhelming,” said Jonathan Bender, M.D., medical director of PFH Cancer Center, and was a chief proponent of the development of the Cancer Center and of Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “That success along with the generosity of the donors to the Center has been a clear sign that we are fulfilling an enormous need in the community.”

In the past decade, advances in medical oncology have brought about a better understanding of cancer cells on a molecular level and rapid advances in technology have converged to form much more effective treatment options for many types of cancer. However, a cancer diagnosis can still be an enormous psychological burden to patients. The fear and anxiety that come with cancer continue to be a mystery to modern medicine.

Piedmont Fayette Hospital Cancer Center, is a new type of cancer center has that is “high tech” but embraces a “high touch” philosophy. Patients who seek chemotherapy and radiation treatment there find a facility that resembles a relaxing spa more than a hospital. Simple enhancements in design help relieve some of the anxiety that come with these life-saving, but sometimes uncomfortable treatment methods.

At the center of each person’s treatment is a nurse navigator. This nurse is often the first person the patient talks to after receiving a cancer diagnosis. These patients are looking for answers and the nurse navigator is there to guide them through the entire process, ensuring them that they are not alone as they manage their disease. Nurse navigators serve as a liaison to a team of surgeons, oncologists and other specialists who work together to map out a unique course of treatment for each individual.

As patients begin their journey, cancer wellness services help them cope with life with cancer. The programs there recognize that treatment is more than just surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatments. Chefs and nutritionists come together to provide healthy cooking classes tailored for specific types of cancer. Prostate cancer patients learn about foods that can help keep them healthy while breast cancer patients may learn more about certain food items they should avoid. These programs focus on recipes that are easy to recreate, healthy and satisfying for patients who may not always feel their best.

Cancer wellness programming includes a resource library, group activity rooms hosting a variety of free events as well as counseling and spiritual support from specially trained staff. Other popular programs include therapeutic massage, creative writing and art classes. Participants are encouraged to take advantage of as many programs and sessions as they like.

“This first anniversary is an excellent opportunity to thank each and every person who did their part to make Cancer Wellness a reality in the Fayette community,” said Doug Mickey, local business owner and volunteer for the Cancer Wellness Center Taskforce. “From powerful friends in the business community making gifts as large as $100,000, to a nine-year-old donating the proceeds of her lemonade stand, we have been humbled by the love and support we’ve received from the community.”

The entire Cancer Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital, including Cancer Wellness programs, would not have been possible without the generous philanthropic support of the community. All cancer Wellness services are free and available to anyone whose life has been affected by cancer regardless of where and when they were treated.

“While science works towards a day when there is no cancer, it’s important for patients to know that their treatment options are more promising than ever before,” said Darrell Cutts, president and CEO of Piedmont Fayette Hospital “A heartfelt thanks from everyone at Piedmont Fayette Hospital goes to the volunteers of the Cancer Task Force. Life with cancer is more manageable than ever and patients are enjoying a better quality of life because of the efforts of this group.”

To learn more about some of the individuals and organizations that helped make this center possible, visit piedmontfayette.org/littlec.