Volume 4
WHAT’Snew
Number 10
May 15, 2015
Pennsylvania Hospital
Removing Barriers to Breast Cancer Care An Abramson Cancer Center Penn breast cancer patient was once overheard saying: There is only one thing worse than having cancer — not being able to afford it. Financial cost remains a barrier to cancer screenings — and cancer treatment itself — among low-income women. While multiple factors contribute to racial and socioeconomic disparities in breast cancer death rates, a lower utilization of mammograms is consistently one of them.
“A healthy community is a strong community and together that’s what we’re doing: strengthening our community.”
Inside Annette Tantillo Named Senior Director of Clinical Financial Services.............. 2 Onsite Biometric Screenings Coming to PAH!...................................... 2 Eat Local & Fresh ................................. 2 Congratulations to the Q315 PAH CAREs Grant Recipients!............ 3 Give Life a Second Chance ................ 3 Take Steps to Cure Sarcoma!..........4 FREE Skin Cancer Screenings at Penn Medicine .................................4 Removing Barriers to Breast Cancer Care Continued.......... 4
Compounding the problem is the continuing debate over what age and how often women should get mammograms. The American Cancer Society’s recommendations remain at odds with the latest guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The Task Force recommends that routine screenings for average-risk women begin at age 50 and continue to be given every two years, instead of yearly mammograms beginning at age 40. While the debate continues on, one thing remains constant. Mammograms remain the best, “first-line-of-defense” screening test available for the early detection of breast cancer. In an effort to help women in need and also ultimately save lives, Ari D. Brooks, MD, director of the Integrated Breast Center and Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital, and Carmen Guerra, MD, MSCE, FACP, associate professor of Medicine and associate chief of staff of the Abramson Cancer Center, and president of the East Central Division of the American
Cancer Society, teamed up to create a grassroots program, the Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative (PMBHI). “For almost two years, Dr. Guerra and I have worked to build up the Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative to provide to the underserved and uninsured women of Southeastern PA, access to all our health system has to offer — state-of-the-art breast screenings, diagnostic, and treatment services,” Brooks said. During this time, Brooks and Guerra partnered with 14 community organizations to help reach and refer women in need for care: Access Matters, Cancer Support Community, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Esperanza Health Center, Family Practice and Counseling Network, the Greater Philadelphia Overseas Chinese Association, Health Promotion Council, La Communidad Hispana (Chester County), MANNA, Mazzoni Center, Penn Asian Senior Services, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, SEAMAAC, and Women and Children’s Health Services located at Pennsylvania Hospital. To date, over 100 women have been enrolled through the Initiative and already, one woman was diagnosed and started treatment for cancer in October 2014. The multi-organizational collaboration is garnering attention and support. Last year the PMBHI received funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Healthy Woman Program to provide breast cancer screening and diagnostic services to 60 women. “The state has steadily increased our funding so that we can now plan on helping an additional 100 women in the coming year,” Guerra said. Even more impressive, the PMBHI was awarded $100,000 from the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia / / / Continued on page 4
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Annette Tantillo
Named Senior Director of Clinical Financial Services
C ong r atulations to Annette Tantillo who has been promoted to Senior Director of Clinical Financial Services for Pennsylvania Hospital. This new position is an expansion of Tantillo’s role as she will be the Administrative Revenue Liaison to CPUP Practices associated with Pennsylvania Hospital. She will direct CPUP/PAH Access Staff and work closely with the Health System’s Professional Billing Office and the Hospital Billing Office to help align and achieve revenue cycle goals and objectives. Tantillo will continue to be responsible for Patient Access, Clinical Resource Management, and Social Work. “Annette has been a valued member of the Pennsylvania Hospital and Penn Medicine team since 2008, when she joined the organization as Director of Clinical Resource Management and Social Services and her most recent position as director of Patient Financial Services,” said Frank Anastasi, chief financial officer. A Registered Nurse, Tantillo received her BSN from Seton Hall as well as her master’s degree in Health Law and Public Policy from Seton Hall Law School. “Annette possesses a wealth of experience as a direct care nurse, case manager, privacy officer and consultant,” Anastasi said. “Annette’s educational background and experience, along with her enthusiasm make her a perfect fit for this great opportunity.”
Eat Local & Fresh with a Greensgrow CSA Membership You can eat great local and fresh foods for six months out of the year with a Greensgrow City Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership. It’s also a great way to support local farms and the local economy, all the while creating a convenient, fresh food lifestyle for you and your family that reflects the local bounty of the seasons. Best of all? CSA brings the farm to you at PAH! However, don’t delay! Sign up today to ensure that PAH remains a CSA distribution site.
What’s in my CSA? • A seasonal assortment (5-8 items) of locally grown,
fresh vegetables
• A selection of fruit that reflects the abundance of the season • A dairy/protein option that includes your choice of eggs,
tofu and much more
• 1/3 of all shares include artisan cheese
Should I Do a Full or Half Share? The full share (weekly) is suitable for a family or sharing with a group of coworkers or friends. The half share option (every other week) is well suited to small households, or to those who travel often or are just learning to cook. With a half share, you’ll get the same amount of food as a full share, but you’ll pick up every other week.
How to Sign Up Visit greensgrow.org/csa for detailed info and sign up. Call 215.380.4355 or email csa@greensgrow.org if you have any questions.
How long does it run?
Onsite Biometric Screenings Coming to PAH! May 26, 7:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where & When Pennsylvania Hospital Elm Garden Cafeteria Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
May 27, 7:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
What does it cost?
May 27, 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Full Share: 24 pickups for $800 ($33.30 per pickup)
May 28, 7:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Schedule your screening today at http://bit.ly/1Ip4irc. Don’t see a time that works for you? No worries! Visit the scheduler website for the full list of locations and times.
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24 weeks from mid-May to early-November 2014
Half Share: 13 pickups for $448 ($34.46 per pickup)
Who is Greensgrow Farms? Greensgrow Farms is a nonprofit organization based in Kensington and is a nationally recognized leader in sustainable urban farming. They “green” urban space that has once been deemed useless, and bring fresh, local food, flowers and jobs to the people of Philadelphia.
Congratulations to the
Q315 CAREs Grant Recipients! Paul Giannette, Hall- Mercer Behavioral Health Services, for the Summer Therapeutic Day Program for children ages four to six years old who have emotional and social problems. The aim of the program is to ready the children for mainstream Kindergarten in September. The CAREs grant will enable two children from disadvantaged families to attend the nine-week summer program where they will have the opportunity to participate in educational and recreational trips, and intensive group, art and activities therapies. Andrea Nicholson, Department of Surgery, for the Penn Breast Health Initiative. Nicholson serves as patient navigator for Abramson Cancer Center and the Penn Breast Initiative, partnering with local community organizations to connect uninsured, low-income women to Abramson’s breast health services. The CAREs grant will go towards providing transportation for these patients, as well as educational materials to use at outreach events and to promote the initiative throughout the community. Jeffery O’Neill, Engineering Services, for the Bucks County Admirals Special Needs Hockey, a special-needs, co-ed ice hockey team. Funding will be used to purchase ice time and equipment, for young teens and young adults, offering them a time of fun, friendly competition, support — and a chance to freely be themselves.
Jeanette Sukhu, Food and Nutrition Services, for community nutrition outreach. PAH has a longestablished relationship with Old Saint Joseph’s Church, Mercy Hospice and the Philadelphia Public Library at 7th and Market, bringing health education to homeless men, women in recovery and the general public. Sukhu leads the clinical nutritionists in sessions throughout the year specifically to offer nutrition education and promote healthy eating. Grant money will go towards teaching aids and visuals. Congratulations to all the winners of the Penn Medicine CAREs grant for the third quarter of FY 15:
Knowledge Saturday > Olubunmi Ariyo – CPUP
Empowering African-American Female Adolescents in Reproductive Health > Joy Cooper – HUP
Unity Clinic Electronic Health Record (EHR) System and Operations > Yoonhee Ha – PSOM
Collaboration; a Shared Vision and Partnership > Randi Jackson – PPMC
Childbirth Education Classes for Hispanic Community in Chester County
Start Talking Science > Marion Leary – HUP
Medical Evaluations for Asylum Seekers > Clayton Marcinak – PSOM
Free Skin Cancer Screening > Mayange Mitchell – CPUP
Surviving to Thriving Program > Helen Moragne – PPMC
Stroke Education Community Outreach > Elizabeth Neuhaus-Booth – HUP
Gorgas Park Veterans Tribute > Cynthia Ross – HUP
2015 Women’s Health Expo > Martina Ward – HUP Each quarter, the CAREs Foundation awards grants of up to $2,000 per project to community and hospital-based programs on behalf of employees or Perelman School of Medicine students who volunteer their time to support those programs. For more information and to apply, please visit PennMedicine.org/Community. Applications for the next round of grants are being accepted until June 1.
> Amy Latyak – CCH
Give Life a Second Chance Each day, 21 people in the United States die while waiting for an organ transplant. Thousands more await a life-enhancing tissue transplant. Still, only 46 percent of Pennsylvanians have registered to become organ and tissue donors. In honor of National Donate Life Month, Penn Medicine once again joined forces with the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) and Gift of Life Donor Program to help promote this critical need to increase the number of registered donors. By encouraging hospital staff and their friends and families to register to become organ, tissue and cornea donors, Penn Medicine aims to
inspire hope, advocacy and passion among those waiting for a transplant. Throughout the year Penn Medicine encourages staff to learn the facts and talk with their family members and friends about becoming advocates for organ donation. The facts are compelling. More than 8,600 people in Pennsylvania, and over 123,000 people nationally, are awaiting an organ transplant. Every 12 minutes, another person who needs a transplant is added to the national waiting list. By becoming an organ donor, one individual can save up to eight lives, while tissue donors can improve the lives of up to 50 people. Donation is a possibility only after all efforts to save the
patient’s life have been exhausted, tests have been performed to confirm the absence of vital signs, and brain death has been declared. To register to become an organ donor or for more information on ways generate hope, advocacy and passion for National Donate Life Month, visit Gift of Life’s website at www. donors1.org.
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Take Steps to Cure Sarcoma! Cancer impacts so many of us, either directly or indirectly. Please join us in the fight to end Sarcoma Cancers. This can only happen with significant funds for necessary and valuable research. Every dollar that is raised will go directly to the Abramson Cancer Center and be used for Sarcoma Cancer research and treatment. Steps for a Cure: Sarcoma 5K Run & Walk When: July 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where: Wilsom Farm Park 500 Lee Road • Chesterbrook, PA Registration begins at 8 a.m. and is $30 for a participant or $100 for a family of four. There will be food and music and dogs on leashes are welcome to come along. To register, visit here: http://bit.ly/1GTSCIR. What is Sarcoma Cancer? Sarcomas are rare cancers of the bones and soft tissues including muscles, blood vessels, fat, nerves, tendons and other connective tissues. They affect approximately 12,000 people each year in the U.S. Bone sarcomas are more common among children, and soft tissue sarcomas are more common in adults. Advanced imaging
techniques are used to evaluate the tumor characteristics and accurately pinpoint their location. Image-guided biopsies are performed by musculoskeletal radiologists and the diagnoses determined by experienced musculoskeletal pathologists. Dogs develop spontaneous sarcomas that are similar to human sarcomas. The Penn Veterinary and Medical schools work together to incorporate canine models into the Penn Sarcoma Program to accelerate understanding sarcoma pathogenesis and to bring effective therapies into the human and veterinary clinics. Sarcoma treatment requires a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical/pediatric oncologists. Current and future efforts are focused on developing personalized molecular targets in individual cancers. The Penn Sarcoma Program combines a compassionate team of expert physicians and veterinarians specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoma with a cutting edge basic and translational research team who are working to identify innovative treatments for this rare disease.
Removing Barriers to Breast Cancer Care / / / Continued from page 1
Community Grants Program this past winter to provide screening and diagnostic services to an additional 400 women this year. Koman recently notified Brook and Guerra of their intent to provide additional funds to the PMBHI. Women coming in through the PMBHI can receive mammograms at Radiology at Pennsylvania Hospital, the Tuttleman Center/ Penn Medicine Rittenhouse, or the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine. Any woman in need of follow-up care is then referred to Dr. Brooks at his office located at Penn Medicine Washington Square. One huge benefit the Komen funding has afforded the Initiative is the services of a patient navigator, Andrea Nicholson. “Andrea coordinates the screenings for the women, setting up appointments and guiding them through the health care system working closely with the community organizations and our cancer center navigators thereby serving, a vital role in the effectiveness
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of the program and in providing compassionate care,” said Brooks. From November through February 15th, the PMBHI and its community partners also concentrated on helping women in need get health insurance by helping them enroll in insurance through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. “We are indebted to our community partners for finding and encouraging women to come out and get screened,” Brooks said. “While our program removes the financial barrier to care, it’s our collective efforts that help women overcome barriers of education, language, isolation, child care, disabilities, transportation, prejudice, fear and more.” “Penn Medicine is committed to helping women in need get access to the best breast screening technology and doctors, regardless of their ability to pay,” Guerra said. “A healthy community is a strong community and together that’s what we’re doing: strengthening our community.”
FREE Skin Cancer Screenings at Penn Medicine May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month According to the Centers for Disease Control, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Most cases are preventable, yet despite efforts to increase awareness about risk factors and proper protection from UV rays, cancer rates — including rates of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer — continue to increase worldwide. Just in time before the hot, sunny summer months hit the Delaware Valley, Penn Dermatology and Penn’s Abramson Cancer are hosting a free program to help spread the lifesaving message of early skin cancer detection and prevention. Saturday, May 30 • 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Penn Dermatology Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine 3400 Civic Center Boulevard South Pavilion, 1st Floor Philadelphia, PA 19104 Appointments are encouraged. Call 215-662-2737 now to make your reservation!
WHAT’Snew EDITORIAL STAFF
Olivia Fermano Editor and Photographer Pamela Furches Design Graphic Design Barry Ogburn Photography
ADMINISTRATION
Susan E. Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Holly Auer Director of Communications Sally Sapega Director of Internal Communications Contact What’snew at: Department of Communications Pennsylvania Hospital Philadelphia, PA 19106 phone: 215.829.6799 email: olivia.fermano@uphs.upenn.edu WHAT’Snew is published biweekly for PAH employees. Access WHAT’Snew online at http://news.pennmedicine.org/inside/whats-new/.