Erie County Medical Center Opens All New Great Lakes Café

Modern customer-centric dining space provides diverse and nutritious culinary offerings

June 25, 2014 (Buffalo, NY) – Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation, a state-of-the-art regional medical center and health campus, recently unveiled an entirely new cafeteria now called the "Great Lakes Café," with a formal grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony held June 24th. The renovation, completed in partnership with Morrison Senior Living, the leader in food, nutrition and hospitality services for the senior living industry, marks the healthcare organizations’ latest strides to deliver quality, patient-centric experiences.

“Creating a positive atmosphere for our patients, their families and our staff is top priority,” said ECMC President/Chief Operating Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer Richard C. Cleland, MPA, FACHE, NHA. “We wanted our café to be as diverse as the people we serve, so having a range of nutritious dining options proved key. Equally important is having a sleek and modern space that enables interactive opportunities for engagement and great customer service.”

The newly renovated space includes updated flooring, lighting, tables, chairs and an overall fresh contemporary design, creating an inviting space for patients, staff and visitors. Culinary offerings at the new Great Lakes Café include the: 2.mato Italian cuisine, Create made-to-order concept, So Deli, Crips salad bar, Morrison Classic, Bake Shoppe by Rich Products Corporation and the all new Tex-Mex inspired Austin Grill.

“For us, the opportunity to help ECMC further its mission of providing top quality experiences for its patients has been greatly rewarding,” said President of Morrison Senior Living, Kevin Svagdis. “By extending their patient-centric approach into their dining offerings, ECMC is showcasing their depth and range as a healthcare partner. We wish them continued success with the Great Lakes Café and in their overall pursuit of excellence.”

About Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation: The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility. ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, and rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences—the difference between healthcare and true care™.

About Morrison Senior Living: Morrison Senior Living, a member of Compass Group North America, is the nation’s only company exclusively dedicated to providing food, nutrition and hospitality services to the senior living industry. Morrison has over 150 registered dietitians, 200 executive chefs, 400 hospitality associates and 7,000 professional food service team members. Actively committed to fostering ways to enjoy great-tasting, healthy food through socially responsible practices and superior customer service, the Atlanta-based company serves more than 450 senior living clients in 41 states, including some of the largest and most prominent senior living communities in the United States. Visit www.MorrisonSeniorLiving.com for more information.

Arnold P. Gold Foundation recognizes ECMC Dr. Neil Dashkoff with “Gold DOC” Award

BUFFALO, NEW YORK; April 5, 2013— The Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation recently received notification from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation that ECMC Cardiac Catheterization Director Neil Dashkoff, MD, is being recognized by the Foundation with a “Gold DOC” award.
The Gold Foundation established this recognition to give patients and their family members the opportunity publicly to pay tribute to physicians when they feel the care they have received demonstrates exemplary skill, sensitivity and compassion.

Dr. Neil Dashkoff in ECMC Cardiac Catheterization Director

Promoting the vital importance of humanistic medical practice is central to the mission of the Gold Foundation. The Gold Foundation guides patients and their caregivers to seek, and be able to identify, exemplars of compassionate care as well as clinical excellence.

The humanistic doctor (Gold DOC) demonstrates a variety of attributes including: integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, empathy and service. When practiced, humanism in medicine fosters relationships with patients and other caregivers that are compassionate and empathic. It also describes attitudes and behaviors that are sensitive to the values, autonomy, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of others.

To review the Gold DOC Recognition Directory—now including Dr. Dashkoff—visit:http://bit.ly/FindYourGoldDOC

Immunodeficiency Clinic earns NYS Department of Health Award

462 Grider Street * Buffalo * New York * 14215


BUFFALO, NEW YORK; January 30, 2013—The Immunodeficiency Services Department at Erie County Medical Center has won the 2012 New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute Award for Excellence in Quality Performance. The award recognizes a clinic that achieves and sustains measurably high quality care. The immunodeficiency clinic received the award for demonstrating sustained improvement for patient retention and viral load suppression, as well as improving linkages to care as shown through its participation in NY Links and the In+ Care Campaign. 

“The award is a result of the combined efforts of the clinic’s physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and others,” emphasized Thomas A. Russo, MD, Professor and Chief of the Infections Disease Department of Medicine, S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo. “It is truly a team award.”
The clinic, staffed in part by division faculty, is the largest and only comprehensive HIV and AIDS care center in Western New York. Physicians in the infectious diseases fellowship train at the facility during ambulatory rotations. 

The award is one of several given by the HIV Quality of Care Program, a statewide initiative for systematically monitoring the quality of HIV medical care and support services. It will be presented March 14th, 2013, in New York City.

To refer to this award announcement on the UB site, log-on to: http://medicine.buffalo.edu/departments/medicine/news-and-events/news/infectious-disease.host.html/content/shared/smbs/news/2013/01/infectious-diseases-hiv-aids-award-227.detail.html

The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care clinics and a long-term care facility. ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, and rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences—the difference between healthcare and true care.

Let's Get Moving

FREE Community Health Fair and Educational Symposium promotes

Good Health Habits and Wellness

BUFFALO, NEW YORK; September 6, 2012—The “Let’s Get Moving Community Health Fair and Educational Symposium” will take place on Saturday, September 15^th, 2012, from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., at the Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts, 450 Masten Avenue at East Ferry. 

Of great concern to the partners in this initiative are statistical indicators that identify various areas in Buffalo as having some of the highest chronic disease rates in the State of New York.  Also notable is that African and Latino Americans are disproportionately representative in having these chronic conditions, making key goals of the conference to: empower individuals to take back their health; take control of their health habits; and improve daily nutritional choices. 

To achieve these goals, a plenary session, educational workshops, as well as traditional health exhibitions and nutritional demonstrations will be provided throughout the day.  Specific health procedures to be made available on-site during this health fair include: Mammographies in a Mobile Mammography Bus, as well as a blood drive to be conducted by UNYTS.  A children’s “Learn and Play” area, as well as adult and young adult fitness demonstrations will also be offered.  At the culmination of the health symposium, a mass line dance will be led by Jocelyn McEnitre-Guthrie from Body Sculpting and the YMCA.  This is a free event and lunch will be provided. 
Physicians to present during the symposium include: Jonathan Daniels, M.D.; Roberto O. Diaz Del Carpio, M.D.; John Fudyma, M.D.; George E. Matthews, M.D..; Theresa Rush, M.D..; Raul Vasquez, M.D.; and Willie Underwood, MD.

This program is co-chaired by Rita Hubbard-Robinson, from ECMC and Angela Blue from NYS AFL-CIO. “Through this effort, we hope to encourage people to have fun and be more active,” explained Rita Hubbard-Robinson, JD, Community Health Education and Outreach Director, ECMC Corp.  “So, Let’s Get Moving!” 

The 2012 “Let’s Get Moving Community Health Fair and Educational Symposium” premier sponsors are the Erie County Medical Center Corporation, 1199 SEIU, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Independent Health. 

Event planning committee members and partners include: The American Diabetes Association, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation, Grupo Ministerial, Healthcare Education Project, Kaleida Health, Masten Block Club Coalition, NYS AFLO-CIO – Buffalo WNY Labor Council for Latin American Advancement & Coalition Black Trade Unionists, P2 Collaborative of WNY/WNY Health Equity Coalition, Public Policy and Education Fund and UNYTS.  This committee convened to develop a community based approach to teaching the public about health, public health, mental health, fitness and nutrition. 

ABOUT ERIE COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER: The ECMC Corporation includes an advanced academic medical center (ECMC) with 550 inpatient beds and 136 skilled-nursing-home beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care clinics and a long-term care facility.  ECMC is the regional center for trauma, burn care, transplantation and rehabilitation and is a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo.  Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan.  More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences—the difference between healthcare and true care. 

Celebration of Life Fundraiser for ECMC Trauma Intensive Care Unit

Mike Billoni celebrates 

20 years since being saved by ECMC

BUFFALO, NEW YORK; August 15, 2012—On Monday, September 17, 2012, Mike and Debbie Billoni will host a Celebration of Life fund-raiser for the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation Trauma Intensive Care Unit (TICU).  The event will take place from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at Patriots and Heroes Park in front of Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More, at 6675 Transit Road, Williamsville, New York, 14221. 

“Twenty years ago, a car hit my bike from behind and I flew into the windshield and shattered it,” said Michael J. Billoni, ECMC Trauma Patient, and Marketing and Public Relations Director for the Food Bank of Western New York.  “When I got to ECMC, I went through 17 hours of trauma surgery.  I learned that ECMC is an amazing place with a staff of incredibly caring, highly skilled doctors, nurses, and therapists.  My surgeon, Dr. John LaDuca, performed miracles and constantly encouraged me.  I received great care at the medical center for 44 days.” 

Dr. John LaDuca is the Honorary Chairman of this Celebration of Life event.

Refreshments for the event will be donated by Russell J. Salvatore of Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More; Picasso’s Pizza; Charlie the Butcher; Charlie Ciotta and Wardynski's & Sons, Inc.; Try-it Distributing Premier Wines & Spirits; and Coca Cola Bottling Co. of Buffalo. 

Entertainment will be provided by DJ Jickster of 97 Rock and Richie Derwald.  Sound will be provided by AVAdvantage. 

Admission to this event is free, but donations to the ECMC TICU are encouraged.  If unable to attend, donations may be made payable and sent to: ECMC Lifeline Foundation – “”Celebration,” 462 Grider Street, Suite G-1, Buffalo, NY 14215 or ecmclifeline.org.  Attendees are asked to RSVP by September 12^th to 898-5800 or sgonzalez@ecmc.edu.

ECMC receives American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines Gold Quality Achievement Award for Two Consecutive Years

Featured in Latest Edition of US News and World Report


BUFFALO, NEW YORK; August 3, 2012—Erie County Medical (ECMC) Corporation has received the Get With The Guidelines^®–Heart Failure Gold Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association.  The recognition signifies that ECMC has reached an aggressive goal of treating heart failure patients with 85 percent compliance for at least 24 months to core standard levels of care as outlined by the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology secondary prevention guidelines for heart failure patients.  Get With The Guidelines is a quality improvement initiative that provides hospital staff with tools that follow proven evidence-based guidelines and procedures in caring for heart failure patients to prevent future hospitalizations.   


Under Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure, heart failure patients are started on aggressive risk reduction therapies such as cholesterol-lowering drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, diuretics and anticoagulants while in the hospital.  They also receive alcohol/drug use and thyroid management counseling as well as referrals for cardiac rehabilitation before being discharged.  


“The full implementation of national heart failure guideline recommended care is a critical step in preventing recurrent hospitalizations and prolonging the lives of heart failure patients,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., chair of the Get With The Guidelines National Steering Committee and director of the TeleStroke and Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass.   “The goal of the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program is to help hospitals like ECMC implement appropriate evidence-based care and protocols that will reduce disability and the number of deaths in these patients.  Published scientific studies are providing us with more and more evidence that Get With The Guidelines works.  Patients are getting the right care they need when they need it.  That’s resulting in improved survival.”  


“For two consecutive years now, ECMC has received the Gold Award.  This award recognizes the excellence in care that we deliver.  ECMC’s care for heart failure patients is among the best in the country.  We intend to remain a leader in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure program, which guides our clinicians to continue to provide the very best care for our patients,” said Jody L. Lomeo, CEO, ECMC Corporation.   


Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure helps ECMC’s staff develop and implement acute and secondary prevention guideline processes.  The program includes quality-improvement measures such as care maps, discharge protocols, standing orders and measurement tools.  This quick and efficient use of guideline tools will enable ECMC to improve the quality of care it provides heart failure patients, save lives and ultimately, reduce healthcare costs by lowering the recurrence of heart attacks. 
According to the American Heart Association, about 5.7 million people suffer from heart failure.  Statistics also show that, each year, 670,000 new cases are diagnosed and more than 277,000 people will die of heart failure. 

Great Lakes Health Receives $15 Million for Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Care

New facility on ECMC Health Campus consolidates services

            BUFFALO, NY – June 18, 2012 – Great Lakes Health today announced that New York’s Health Department approved a $15 million grant to help Erie County Medical Center and Kaleida Health consolidate mental health and drug dependency treatment in one $25 million Regional Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (COE) at ECMC.

The new center, announced as a concept Feb. 13, 2012, is a physician-driven collaboration between ECMC and Kaleida. It will create a state-of-the-art, comprehensive psychiatric emergency program and new inpatient facilities to serve mental health patients in the Western New York community. 

“The HEAL-NY grant will help us create a Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health on the ECMC Health Campus, create a new and improved facility for the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), and continue our collaborative relationship for the good of our patients,” said Kaleida President and CEO James R. Kaskie. “Collaboration creates synergies and synergies get things done.”

“This is another tangible example of leveraging the talents, infrastructure, clinical expertise of both ECMC and Kaleida to benefit our community and the patients we serve,” he added.

The consolidated model will combine the resources of the ECMC and Buffalo General Medical Center behavioral health programs and will create a single, 180-bed inpatient psychiatric program. It will also continue ECMC’s current 22 detoxification beds and 20 inpatient chemical dependency rehabilitation beds.

The plan also calls for continuing ECMC’s and Kaleida’s Main Street outpatient clinics, along with clinics in Lancaster and North Buffalo. The state’s Healthcare Efficiency and Affordability Law-21 [HEAL-NY] funding significantly moves the project forward.

ECMC Corp. and Kaleida Health will fund the remaining $10 million. The new center, planned to open in March 2014, would expand ECMC’s current emergency behavioral health facilities from 6,500 square feet to 16,000 square feet.

“This center provides an opportunity to develop better quality, consolidated programs of emergency, outpatient, and inpatient services with one focus: the patients,” said ECMC CEO Jody L. Lomeo. “It will be state-of-the-art, and will deliver the care the mentally ill in our community deserve. That care will improve by having all our collective expert physicians and staff in one place and this is another example of the success of Great Lakes Health.”

Mental health care in Western New York, like the rest of the state, is fragmented and costly to the state’s Medicaid payment system. In the last 20 years, the Buffalo Psychiatric Center went from 1,200 beds to 160 and the Gowanda Psychiatric and West Seneca Developmental centers closed.

Other inpatient facilities downsized or closed in recent years and while outpatient services exist, there is a lack of coordination among community providers. Psychiatrists are also in short supply throughout the region.

This combination of factors created a crisis for mental health patients and their families in Western New York. Mentally ill and chemically dependent patients in crisis are, many times, forced to find care in crowded hospital emergency rooms, which leads to more costly episodic inpatient care and unsafe conditions for clinical staff.Dr 

            Dr. Yogesh Bakhai, ECMC Chief of Service of Psychiatry and Dr. Maria Cartegena, medical director, Buffalo General's Department of Inpatient Behavioral Health & Psychiatry, will lead this initiative.

“The region has needed a Center of Excellence in Behavioral Health for years,” said Dr. Bakhai. “Not only do we need to expand our facilities to meet the growing demand, we need to bring together the talents of the region to focus on creating a better model for our patients.”

“This project is solely about the needs of patients,” said Dr. Cartagena. “We recognize that creating exceptional quality care for our patients is not necessarily about a particular location, but about the dedication and expertise of the treatment team.”

“As a regional center for psychiatric care, ECMC has the facility and the room to expand our comprehensive services. Additionally, this would allow us to bring the expertise of our physicians and staff together with ECMC's experienced physicians and staff to create a true collaborative effort. The development of a center of excellence in psychiatry would most definitely improve the quality of care for behavioral health patients for generations to come.”

The integrated model will combine the current outpatient volumes of 44,300 annual visits at ECMC and Kaleida’s 68,829 annual visits with services provided onsite at ECMC and at its community-based locations.

Currently, ECMC has 132 licensed inpatient psychiatric beds with 2,297 discharges in 2011 and 57 inpatient rehabilitation/detoxification beds with 1,621 discharges in 2011. Buffalo General Medical Center has 91 licensed inpatient beds with 2,307 annual discharges.

This consolidation represents the third major initiative of Great Lakes Health System to merge the services of ECMC and Kaleida. The first created the Gates Vascular Institute on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus in collaboration with the University at Buffalo and the second being the Regional Center of Excellence for Transplantation & Kidney Care on ECMC’s campus, both HEAL-funded initiatives to restructure and right size the region’s health care.  

Grand Opening of ECMC's Grider Family Health Center

Community Residents are invited to attend the grand opening of ECMC's new Grider Family Health Center on May 24 at 2:30 pm. Community residents will have the opportunity to meet with Jody L. Lomeo, Chief Executive Officer, ECMC Corp., Ranjit Singh, MD, Medical Director, Assoc. Prof., Family Medicine, Antonia Redhead, MD, GFHC Medical Director, Assoc. Prof., Family Medicine,  Rev. Dr. James Lewis, Director, Pastoral Care, ECMC and Thomas J. Quatroche, Ph.D., Sr. Vice President, ECMC Corp. 

Grider Family Health Center (GFHC), ECMC Health Campus is located at 462 Grider St., Driveway #1, Buffalo. The open house takes place from 3-5 pm.

The GFHC is a primary care service for the entire family. The open house event gives community residents an opportunity to visit/tour the new facility, meet staff, and learn about the full range of health care services available to them in their neighborhood(s).

Why Are Cars Crashing Into Buildings?

By Annette Pinder

It keeps happening and nobody seems to know why. Since last August there have been more than 20 accidents involving cars crashing into buildings in the Buffalo area. Cars have plowed into an apartment building, a deli, a senior care facility, a restaurant, a dollar store and a Wendy’s. In October two college students died in a high-speed crash into a local market. There’s even a Google map showing all the accident sites.

Lisa Thorpe, MS, OTR, Occupational Therapist and Driver Rehabilitation Specialist at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), says “There are a number of factors contributing to these accidents, including age, driver distraction, and medical problems. They are rarely the result of vehicle malfunction.”

“More people should be evaluated, particularly if there is a question about their ability to drive safely, or if they’ve had an illness or injury that is affecting their performance,” says Lisa. “It’s important to determine an individual’s ability to begin or resume driving by understanding their limitations.”

For a proper determination of driving ability, evaluations should be performed by an occupational therapist who has specialized training in driver rehabilitation. The therapist can make recommendations regarding the need for vehicle adaptations and training. For example, if a person was involved in a left-turn collision, they should be placed in left turn situations in multiple traffic scenarios during an in-vehicle evaluation to assess the problem. Typical vehicle modifications may involve such things as mirror placement, hand controls, or repositioning the gas pedal. Lisa says, “It isn’t a matter of pass-fail. The goal is to make appropriate modifications so people can remain safe and independent.”

Lisa has her own thoughts about why we’ve had so many unusual accidents, and she attributes part of it to our driving environment. She notices people driving too fast, being distracted, and using parking lots as roadways. She says people need to impose their own limitations based on their comfort levels, and refrain from driving at night or in heavy traffic if they aren’t confident in these situations. Limiting distractions like the radio is also helpful.

Lisa says it’s important to be open and honest. If you notice a relative or friend having difficulty driving she encourages having a non-critical, non-threatening conversation about driving. “Our region’s older driver population is growing significantly,” says Lisa, “so it’s important as a community to address the needs of older drivers and keep them on the road as long and safely as possible.”

Help is available. One resource is Erie County’s Older Driver Family Assistance Help Network Task Force.  For help with alternative transportation call Charles Battaglia Erie County Senior Services at 858-8526.

To learn more about ECMC’s Driver Rehabilitation Program, call 893-3225.  Lisa or another certified ECMC driver rehabilitation specialist will be glad to answer your questions. 

WNY Resource:

ECMC Driver Rehabilitation Program

462 Grider Street

Buffalo, New York 14215

898-3225

www.ecmc.edu

Community Leaders Find Solution for Kidney Transplant Patients

Fresh off the heals of the  National Kidney Foundation closing the doors to the Buffalo, NY office, community leaders have come together to find a solution for local kidney and transplant patients.  The Northeast Kidney Foundation would be working with local clinicians, patient advocates and transplant professionals to reinstate services no longer available in the community.

Barbara Breckenridge, a kidney transplant recipient, long time patient advocate and former staff of the NKF, is thrilled that a solution is available.  “I know the needs of the patients,” Breckenridge said.  There are so many issues these patients are dealing with, when these services were taken out of the community it was a great loss.”

The Northeast Kidney Foundation, based in Albany, is a former affiliate of the NKF, separating in July.  In the newly created partnership with the Buffalo region, the Foundation will reinstate patient services, continue community screening programs, patient education, community outreach and education, school based programs, and all the services the community has received through the years.  “We are most thrilled that we can say there are no more gaps in service,” said Carol LaFleur, executive director of the Northeast Kidney Foundation.  “At the end of the day, what is most  important is that patients have the resources that they need, and that the Buffalo region knows the great dedication of their community leaders to serving the patients and family members affected by kidney disease.”

Services have already begun to be reinstated, including patient emergency grants and transportation subsidies, and just a few weeks ago a kidney screening was held where more than 40 people came out to learn if they were at risk for kidney disease or exhibiting early signs of the disease. Dr. Brian Murray, a nephrologist and medical director for Erie CountyMedical Center, volunteered at the screening.  “Offering programs like this in the community is so important for those at risk.  What a great experience to be able to talk with people and educate them about a disease that many are unaware that they may have.”  Also volunteering at the kidney screening were Dr. Jennie Hom, a nephrologist at Erie County MedicalCenter, and staff of Upstate New York Transplant Services, who manned the lab station.  “My staff enjoyed it – it gave them an opportunity to get out in the community and put their phlebotomy skills to work and provide a great service to those at risk for kidney disease.  Collaboration has always been the best way to meet the needs of our community, and UNYTS is a proud partner to many and is looking forward to this collaboration,” said Mark Simon, CEO of UNYTS.

While the Northeast Kidney Foundation moves forward with service implementation, community leaders are also keeping an eye on the possibility of creating a locally based organization.  Discussions will continue over the next several months but for now the message is clear – the needs of patients, family members, and clinical professionals will be met through the collaboration with the Northeast Kidney Foundation.

There are several important dates that the community should be aware of.  They include:

January 22, post holiday party for patients and family members

March 3, 2012 – free kidney screening for those at risk of kidney disease, 10 am – 2 pm

March 8, 2012 – World Kidney Day and Gift of Life Celebration, 5 pm

March 9, 2012 – Walk for Kidneys Kickoff Breakfast

June 3, 2012 - Walk for Kidneys

For more information on these activities, please contact Barbara Breckenridge at 716-885-7215 or Carol LaFleur at 518-533-7880 and visit www.healthykidneys.org.

ECMC Provides African American Women Free Cancer Screenings

ECMC and the Witness Project will collaborate to provide African-American women breast cancer screenings to reduce their mortality and morbidity from cancer. The Witness Program educates women regarding the benefits of early detection by providing a free education program that features breast cancer survivors and by going door-to-door to meet women and share the alarming statistics. After interfacing with the Witness Project, women complete a one page needs assessment and if they have indicated that they have not received a mammogram or clinical breast examination (CBE) in the past 12 months and are 40 years of age or older, they are encouraged to receive and schedule a mammogram. The Witness Project staff schedules the examination for them and actually arranges for transportation to and from examinations as well as childcare. African American women are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of the disease and are more likely to die from it. For more information about Breast Cancer education and/or to schedule mammography screenings, those interested in better health and wellness should call the Witness Project at 845-3383.