Kori Hammel, of Genesis Global, donated more than 100 new stuffed animals to the Department of Radiation Oncology for pediatric patients. Kori's sister, Kimberlee Hammel who is a supervisor in the radiation oncology clinic, expects the delivery soon, and will keep the stuffed animals in her office. Kimberlee called it "a thoughtful and selfless gesture that will benefit our littlest patients."  

  

Kimberlee encourages suggestions for adding other items for pediatric and adult patients and welcomes participation in the department's Patient Satisfaction Committee.

  

Hammel is working with Health Sciences Development to provide more opportunities for grateful patients to contribute to the Radiation Oncology Department. Patients or donors can click on "The Giving Tree" button on the Radiation Oncology website. Additionally, paper forms in English and in Spanish are in the waiting area for individuals to donate based on their support desires.    

 

All donations go into the Radiation Oncology Chief Physicist Support Fund, which provides salary and funding to further the department's clinical care and research mission.     

  

UC Davis nurses grace cover of National Congress of the Oncology Nursing Society publication

Megan Kuehner and Lauri Brunton on the cover of Spotlight on Symposia

Lauri Brunton and Megan Kuehner, resource nurses on the medical/surgical/bone marrow transplant unit on Davis 8, are featured on the cover of Spotlight on Symposia from the Oncology Nursing Society's 37th Annual Congress. Megan presented the abstract "A Multidisciplinary Team Huddle Approach in an Acute Care Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Setting" at last year's meeting in New Orleans.

  

The Multidisciplinary Team Huddle approach targets immediate patient needs, discharge concerns and plans of care and prioritizes admissions, off-the-floor patients and educational topics. After three months of implementing the huddle, the oncology unit's quality of care, communication, teamwork and cohesiveness have significantly improved. Congratulations, Megan and Lauri!

 

Tram Nguyen heading to medical school   

Tram Nguyen

Congratulations to Tram Nguyen, who was accepted into the UC Davis School of Medicine. Previously, Nguyen worked 16 months with Moon Chen, principal investigator of the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training (AANCART) program.

While at AANCART, Nguyen participated in community-based research projects, presented findings at research conferences and did cancer outreach with Asian Americans. Nguyen is thankful for Chen and Julie Dang, AANCART administrative core director, for their encouragement and mentorship.

Nguyen hopes to utilize her own personal experience as a first-generation immigrant, as well as the knowledge she gains from medical school, to alleviate health disparities.

"I learned the value of preventative care and the importance of engaging the community for research efforts," said Nguyen. "After working for AANCART, I see the value of preventative health care and will be pursuing a master's degree in public health in addition to a medical degree."

Virgil Traynor and Betty Bennett visit Hsing-Jien Kung's Lab  

Hsing-Jien Kung, Virgil Traynor and Betty Bennett

Virgil Traynor, a veterinarian who started the Auburn Community Cancer Endowment Fund (ACCEF) in April 200
1, and Betty Bennett, a volunteer with ACCEF, recently visited Professor Hsing-Jien Kung's lab in the Research III Building. Kung was the recipient of the ACCEF endowment grant for prostate cancer research. Traynor and Bennett wanted a first-hand look at how lab research is being conducted.

Radiation Oncology Department nurses earn master's degrees

Kerri Stuart and Terri Wolf

Two well-known UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center nurses have earned master's degrees.

Kerri Stuart, a veteran nurse in the Department of Radiation Oncology, earned her master's of science and nursing degree. Stuart's training has helped her better treat and understand the psychosocial aspect of patients with cardiac disease and diabetes.

Terri Wolf, a nurse who worked in radiation oncology for four years, received her master's of science from the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing in June. She says that going back to school gave her a new perspective about inter-professional collaborations, and she hopes to use her knowledge to focus on issues such as housing, family support and nutrition. Through the master's program, Wolf met national nurse leaders and participated in state and regional programs. She credits her master's program for preparing her for her new position as nursing and quality coordinator with the Cancer Care Network.

Avan Lo promoted to clinical trials reporting program analyst

Avan Lo

Avan Lo from the Cancer Center Data Management Team has been promoted, taking on a new role as the Clinical Trials Reporting Program Analyst (CTRP) and will work on reporting clinical trials and patient accrual data to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI's CTRP is designed to be a comprehensive database of regularly updated information, including accrual on all NCI-supported clinical trials. Congratulations Avan!

Advancing breast cancer research

John W. Bishop

The ASCO Quality Care Symposium accepted John W. Bishop's abstract: Raising the Bar: Breast Cancer Biomarkers IHC4 Harmonization from University of California - Athena Pathology Collaboration for the general poster session at the ASCO symposium in San Diego in November. The Athena pathology group hopes to advance breast cancer research by standardizing immunohistochemistry marker assays. Congratulations to Dr. Bishop's successful entry into the ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Training event for UC Davis Cancer Care Network nurses 

Visiting oncology nurses from the UC Davis Cancer Care Network participate in simulation exercise with William Hammontree, manager of the Center for Virtual Care

Nurse mentoring 

Davis 8 oncology nurses mentor nurses visiting from Mercy Cancer Center and Hospital in Merced. Pictured from left to right are: Prescilla DeGuzman, Mercy Merced; Christina Grewe, UC Davis Medical Center; Wilson Yen, UC Davis Medical Center; Mimi Chen, UC Davis Medical Center; and Kelsey Riggs, Mercy Merced

The UC Davis Cancer Care Network is piloting a program to mentor medical-surgical nurses from rural hospitals in oncology nursing. The program launched in early October with two nurses from Mercy Hospital in Merced spending two shifts with oncology nurses on Davis 8. The program will continue for several weeks and involve multiple network sites. Wilson Yen, nurse manager, and Patti Palmer, clinical nurse specialist for Davis 8, are facilitating the program and encourage the nurses to remain in contact so the mentoring will continue even after the nurses return to their hospitals. The experience helps nurses in the community hospitals learn how to care for complex patients, in addition to giving chemotherapy.

To help the LightRays reach their goal of raising $5000, click HERE.   

More than 200 UC Davis Health System faculty and staff have contributed to the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center via payroll deduction or making a gift or pledge to recognize the financial commitment made by our employees. On Wednesday, these donations prompted the Health System to present the cancer center with Inspirational Department Award at the annual Employee Giving Program luncheon.  

The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center has created the "Faculty and Staff Donor Circle." Becoming a member is easy. Employees can simply enroll in payroll deduction, make an online gift to the Comprehensive Cancer Center or send in a one-time gift. If you are already contributing by one of the means above, you are already a member. Watch your e-mail for updates on the donor circle and some of the perks that will be coming soon. All donations are tax deductible.

Click HERE to make a donation today!   

Cancer Center Expansion Naming Opportunities Available