Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Don't miss this inspiring episode of Medical Stories: BPDCN: Robert's Story. This documentary film series features Andrew Lane, MD, PhD and highlights his patient's journey through cancer diagnosis treatment at Dana-Farber. #BPDCN http://ms.spr.ly/6042lR5Ok

Boxes of gloves, respirators, intravenous solution, sanitizing wipes, and face shields: This is just a sample of what is in a shipment of excess medical supplies that Dana-Farber has prepared to send to hospitals in need in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Institute is fortunate to be sitting on a glut of certain medical supplies that were difficult to come by after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains. Instead of letting this inventory potentially expire, the distribution team, led by Andrew Madden, has been finding creative ways to put it to use, including a recent donation to a wildlife refuge. This idea came to David Read, vice president of Medical Oncology, and Timothy Rebbeck, PhD, director for the Center for Global Health Equity, through longtime collaborator and president emeritus Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD. Benz sits on the advisory board of the nonprofit Kulungu Corporation, an organization run by Congolese-native Bienvenu Kulungu, that seeks to improve healthcare in the DRC. “Our mission to reduce the burden of cancer does not end at the borders of Massachusetts,” Read says. “We have and will continue to partner with international organizations to help patients across the world.” For years, the eastern part of the African country has been ravaged by conflict between government forces, militia groups, and international armies vying for control of the DRC’s wealth of natural resources. Seven million people have been displaced by the violence and thousands have been killed. According to a 2017 United States Agency for International Development report, an estimated 70% of Congolese have little to no access to health care, and hospitals lack personnel and equipment. That situation has predictably worsened due to the ongoing fighting. “We are so grateful for these supplies,” says Kulungu. “They will help the Congolese people immensely.” It pains Kulungu to see his country struggling. “It is a place of much potential,” he explains. His nonprofit arose from a desire to help and was inspired by his father’s efforts to do the same before him. In many ways, their journeys mirror one another. His father attended university in the states before going back to the DRC, using his education to serve his community. Kulungu also came to the U.S. for an education and completed his bachelor's at the University of Massachusetts Boston. “I never forgot my home country,” he says. “I was always thinking about how I could use my education to help.” It was here that he had the chance to meet accomplished physicians like Benz and others working in the Boston area who encouraged him to start a non-profit. The Kulungu Corporation was founded in 2015 and has since been able to provide equipment to clinics and fund the training of medical personnel and projects to improve access to clean water. Dana-Farber's shipment represents one of the biggest donations Kulungu has received. “It will save lives,” he says.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has once again named Dana-Farber as a 2024 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader on its annual Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), the national benchmarking tool that evaluates health care facilities’ policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and staff. The Institute is one of 384 health care facilities to earn this designation out of the 1,065 who participated in this year’s HEI. “What an honor to be recognized as a Healthcare Equity Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation,“ remarks Ian Matthew-Clayton, vice president and chief Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity officer at Dana-Farber. “We believe everyone deserves the best possible cancer care, and we are committed to ensuring a respectful, welcoming, and equitable environment for our LGBTQ+ patients, their families and loved ones, and our workforce.“ Health care facilities are scored based on LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices in four criteria areas: foundational elements of LGBTQ+ patient-centered care; patient services and support; employee benefits and policies; and patient and community engagement. A crucial aspect of the HEI includes ensuring compliance with regulations that prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity, which fosters a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ patients and protects employees within those organizations.

Patricia Smith has a deep appreciation for her Dana-Farber treatment team. "Across the board, I was treated with respect," she says. "They saw me as a person as well as a patient, and that meant a lot." Read more about Patricia's story here: http://ms.spr.ly/6047lOkFD

Can aspirin prevent ovarian cancer? Recent research indicates that aspirin may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 13%. However, it's important to note that any potential aspirin regimen should be discussed with a medical professional. #cancerprevention #cancerscreening #oncology #doctor #health

Nina Scott, MHS, CMI, director of Interpreter Services at Dana-Farber, is this year’s recipient of the Tony Winsor Award from Massachusetts Medical Interpreter Training, a program at Commonwealth Medicine/UMass Chan Medical School and MassHealth. “I am deeply grateful for this special honor,” remarks Scott, who accepted the prestigious award at the Paving the Way to Health Care Access Conference at UMass Boston. “It’s a privilege to serve as an advocate for medical interpreter professionalism, equity for our patients and their loved ones who prefer a language other than English, and collaboration with care teams. I love my job and working alongside our incredible Interpreter Services team, and this award is the cherry on top.” The award recognizes Scott’s integral efforts in the development of the Interpreter Ambassador role, a position unique to Dana-Farber. Interpreter Ambassadors enhance the patient care experience for the Institute’s diverse patient population by not only providing interpretation and translation during medical appointments, but also by guiding patients to their appointments, connecting them to appropriate resources, and providing cultural advocacy as part of their care teams. The Tony Winsor Award honors a person who advocates for professionalizing the work of a medical interpreter to improve language access for all. Contributions may include advocating for the use of and promoting the work of medical interpreters or providing education for medical interpreters. ✨ More: https://lnkd.in/exuBAb_r

Earlier this year, the efforts of the team behind Dana-Farber’s Oncology Nurse Residency Program (ONRP) were affirmed as it was named an Accredited Practice Transition Program with distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This is the same organization that has designated the Institute a Magnet® Recognition Program facility five consecutive times. Led by Jeanine Rundquist, DNP, RN, executive director of the Center for Clinical and Professional Development and program director of the ONRP, the prestigious designation means the residency meets five essential elements: strong leadership; education about the organization’s culture; a well-designed and developed curriculum; evidence and practice-based learning; and an encouragement of lifelong learning. “Earning this accreditation is the icing on the cake,” Rundquist expresses. “It’s recognition for the excellence that already exists within the residency program.” As an Accredited Practice Transition Program with distinction, the ANCC found that Dana-Farber’s residency program meets rigorous standards and is among the best in the country. The recognition can also lead to greater visibility of the support and training that each new nurse receives upon joining the Institute’s workforce. To earn the prestigious accreditation, Rundquist and the team built on the success of a program that began in 2016 under the leadership of Kristen Legor, PhD, JD, vice president of Clinical Research Nursing Operations and associate chief nurse. Nursing education is generalized to teach prospective nurses everything they need to earn their license, but it rarely delves into a specialty. Hospitals and clinics bear the responsibility for specialized training and, as the field of nursing has grown, that training has become even more important. Rundquist knows firsthand what starting a new nursing position fresh out of college can be like. She began working as a nurse in North Dakota about 30 years ago. There, she received a three-month orientation before taking on the full responsibilities of nursing. “As a new nurse, I had to learn as I went and I realized how crucial those first few months to a year can be in setting up patient care staff for success,” recalls Rundquist. Rundquist says this is why she stepped into the professional development field and joined the Institute two years ago. Dana-Farber was – and still is – known for investing in its staff to ensure high-quality care within each specialized treatment center. The residency offers what Rundquist calls “protected learning time,” as new nurses take classes, practice in simulations, and shadow experienced colleagues from across disciplines before taking on the full responsibilities of patient care. More: https://lnkd.in/en4CRZ4R

Before you spend time in the sun, Dana-Farber has a few tips for protecting your skin and lowering your risk of developing skin cancer. Read more about staying safe in the sun here: http://ms.spr.ly/6045lOk2J

The rankings are in! For the 24th consecutive year, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center has been recognized as a Best Hospital for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report. This year, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center is ranked as a Best Hospital for cancer care in New England and #4 in the nation. Read more here: http://ms.spr.ly/6043lPOg3

Despite progress in the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer, disparities persist. Dana-Farber gynecologic oncologists are working with patient navigators to reduce disparities by actively lowering the barriers patients face when trying to access screening and care. Learn more: http://ms.spr.ly/6045lHheP