Health Signs - Winter 2010 - (Page 2)

Vandana B. Sharma, M.D., (left), a Washington Hospital medical oncologist, heads the center’s genetic counseling and testing program. cutting-edge care with a human touch TWINTER 2010 accreditation recognizes washington women’s center’s dedication to patients The Washington Women’s “We don’t just focus on “We are the first center Center was recently awarded one aspect of breast health,” in Northern California to gain a three-year full accreditation says Kathy Hesser, R.N., this distinction and only the by the National Accreditation Washington Women’s Center third in the entire state,” he Program for Breast Centers clinical coordinator. “We says. “On a personal note, the (NAPBC), a program adminisaccreditation validates five long are taking care of the whole tered by the American College years of dedication and commit- person as far as her breast of Surgeons. cancer treatment, but we’re ment to providing top-quality Washington Women’s also educating members of the care to women in the Tri-city Center was rated for compliance area and Northern California.” community through classes with standards established by and we offer a one-on-one a full-service center the NAPBC to ensure that the navigator program to help The accreditation takes center’s patients have access women get through all their into account many aspects to the full range of critical serappointments, answer their of breast cancer care, vices for their disease. questions and review termifrom diagnostic imaging “We are recognized nology with them.” to community education. as a model for organizing The center’s other programs and managing breast and services include: • Breast biopsies (coredisease,” says William needle biopsies and Dugoni Jr., M.D., sentinel node biopsies) Washington Women’s • Breast conservation Center medical director. therapy “We are a center that • Mammography ensures multidisci• Genetic testing and plinary, integrated counseling and comprehensive • Breast magnetic resobreast care services.” nance imaging (MRI) Dugoni also points • Reconstructive surgery out that the center • On-campus radiation has met recognized Left to right: Kathy Hesser, R.N.; Mimi Lin, M.D.; oncology unit national standards and Vandana B. Sharma, M.D.; and William Dugoni, M.D., • Access to medical performance measures presented lectures during an overview of the Washington oncology physicians that demonstrate highWomen’s Center Breast Health Program that took place • Yoga classes at a Think Pink cancer awareness event last October. quality breast care. Massage therapy Nutrition and dietary consultants • Advanced library and resource center with multicultural information “For me, this accreditation represents a rallying flag to our community assuring women that their treating physicians are going to work together if they have a breast cancer diagnosis,” says Hesser. “Women don’t have to go out of the community to get these top-notch services.” • • advanced imaging A major component of the center’s care comes in the form of diagnostic radiology, under the direction of Washington Hospital medical staff diagnostic radiologist Mimi Lin, M.D. “The NAPBC is a prestigious award acknowledging excellence in patient care at the facility,” Lin says. “The accreditation validates all the hard work that is done every day at the Women’s Center. Our facility was designed to try to make the women’s experience enjoyable and positive. Besides diagnostic imaging procedures, the Women’s Center also empowers women with education and camaraderie. As board-certified radiologists, we take an active role in helping women with their annual chore of breast cancer screening by evaluating their mammograms.”

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Health Signs - Winter 2010

Health Signs - Winter 2010
Contents
Brest Cancer Care
Take Heart
Can You Spot Sepsis?
A Helping Hand

Health Signs - Winter 2010