Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 8)

Adds Sachdev: “Marsha told me about local resources and support groups I could utilize along my journey. I could have looked on the Web to ﬁnd what was available, but that can be such a hassle, and you never know if the information is good or not. Marsha told me what was available locally to help with my speciﬁc needs.” NEVER ALONE The potential diagnosis of breast cancer can be a frightening, overwhelming experience, but you do not have to face it alone at Parrish Medical Center. “I’m doing very well in my recovery,” Sachdev says. “I’m getting a series of chemo treatments and working with a personal trainer at Parrish Health & Fitness to build up muscle tone and help with mobility after the surgery. It is so nice to have Marsha to turn to. My family has been very supportive. But it is reassuring for me to have somebody who didn’t know me at all show such interest. Marsha’s personal touch has made all the difference.” Lowry agrees. “Right after my surgery, Marsha gave me a special pillow to use to help ease the pain when I slept,” she says. “It worked great. I still have that pillow on my bed to remind me of the comfort and reassurance I received from Marsha. I’ve come a long way in the past year, and I’m doing very well.” A Breast Health Navigator Doing What She Loves Marsha Richardson has worked hard to be where she is today. Her credentials say it all: She is a registered nurse; holds two master’s degrees, Nursing Education and Clinical Nurse Specialist; and is an oncology-certified nurse and certified breast cancer navigator. She encourages Parrish Medical Center (PMC) oncology nurses to become certified by individually mentoring them. With Richardson’s professional help, PMC has earned The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Gold Seal for breast health. She has also implemented quality improvements that resulted in dramatic reductions in the time that a woman waits between screening mammography, diagnostic mammography and a definitive diagnosis. Richardson serves on the Brevard County board of directors for the American Cancer Society. She has obtained more than $75,000 in grants from Susan G. Komen for the Cure to provide care for underinsured and uninsured women in the community. She has been an oncology nurse for more than 24 years, the last five of which have been at PMC. What inspires her? “As an oncology nurse, we can affect—and perhaps even change—people’s lives,” she says. “But sometime it’s the patient that changes ours. I need only go to work to be inspired by the attitudes, strength and perseverance that my patients show every day. The patients are amazing and gracious, and I am so very fortunate to be involved in their care.” 8 FA L L 2 013 Marsha Richardson (left) receives the 2013 Certified Breast Cancer Navigator of the Year from Oncology Nursing Certification Corp. president Carol Brueggen.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Someone to Guide You
Step It Up
Your Mightiest Muscle
Well, Well, Well
Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Is Your Shut-Eye Serving You Well?
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge
Anatomy of an ER Visit
Next-Gen Surgery
Attack from Within
Virtual Health
Community Health
A Love for Helping People
Cruising with a Chronic Condition
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center