March 3, 2008

Mercy Outlines Program for Oncology Conference

Mercy Medical Center—Sioux City, the June E. Nylen Cancer Center, and the Siouxland Regional Iowa/Nebraska Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society will host their annual Oncology Conference on Saturday, Mar. 29 at the Marina Inn Conference Center in South Sioux City.

The annual event for nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals provides current information and research in the field of oncology.

Barbara J. Wilson, RN, OCN, AOCN, a member of the clinical faculty in Medical Oncology at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, will present on the topic of “Evidence-Based Neutropenic Precautions.” Wilson will review current practices for protecting neutropenic patients and will discuss the strength of evidence and rationale to support continuing, implementing or discontinuing neutropenic practices.

Apar Ganti, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Oncology-Hematology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, will discuss “Advances in the Treatment of Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.” He will review options for initial treatment and second-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. He will also describe the factors affecting response to various chemotherapeutic agents.

Yungpo Bernard Su, MD, an expert in the field of head and neck/thoracic medical oncology for Nebraska Cancer Specialists in Omaha, will present a clinical overview of “Systemic Therapy in Squamous Head and Neck Cancers.” He will characterize the risk factors and natural history of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and will identify the current indications for the use of chemotherapy in curative-intent, standard of care multimodality therapy.

Donna Casperson, RN, MSN, AOCN, clinical director for the St. Louis Cancer and Breast Institute, will discuss “Adjuvant Care for the Melanoma Patient.” Her discussion will discuss aspects of care and side effect management.

David Balch, BS, founder of the Southern California-based Patient/Partner Project, will address conference attendees with “Cancer for Two,” a new perspective of the cancer experience. He will describe practical coping strategies that participants can share with patients who need them.

Paul A. Fee, MD, a specialist in the field of hospice and palliative medicine for Hospice of Siouxland and Siouxland Palliative Care, will discuss “Palliative Care, Perspectives and Progress.” He will discuss the current status of palliative care, both nationally and locally, and will talk about the importance of palliative care as an integral part of comprehensive cancer care.
Continuing education credit will be awarded for nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals.

The registration fee for the conference is $65 for members of the Oncology Nursing Society, and $75 for all others, provided registrations are postmarked by Mar. 21. After that date, all registration fees will be $10 more.

For more information about the conference, visit www.mercysiouxcity.com, or call Mercy at (712) 279-2152.