Conference Agenda

2:30-3:15 PM — SESSION FIVE

5.1. Vermont Cancer Center Tour - Continued from Session 4

Please join the Vermont Cancer Center (VCC) for a behind the scenes tour of our cancer care facilities and cancer research laboratories. This is a special opportunity to see and hear about the cutting-edge research and care being carried out at the VCC, which spans from the University of Vermont College of Medicine research facilities to the Fletcher Allen clinics: with tour guides who are at the very forefront of Vermont's cancer initiatives.

5.2. Cancer Survivorship, Thriving After Cancer
Patricia O'Brien, MD

An overview of the many ways that cancer can affect your "post-treatment" personal life and family life and ways you can cope with each of these intrusions. We will briefly discuss the various aspects of the physical and emotional burdens of cancer and how they can touch each member of the family in unique ways. It is appropriate for people dealing with any type of cancer, at any stage of the cancer journey. This talk is nontechnical and designed to be supportive as people try to problem-solve through all the issues that cancer seems to bring to their doorstep even after the treatment has stopped and you may have been cured of your active cancer.

5.3. Ovarian Cancer Screening
Cheung Wong, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

This session will cover the current recommendations for screening in women at high risk for ovarian cancer and will discuss some prevention measures for ovarian cancer.

5.4. Surgical Prevention of Breast Cancer
Mary Stanley, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

Many women come to Breast Specialists for evaluation secondary to an increased risk of breast cancer. This is often due to a very strong family history. This presentation will focus on prophylactic (preventative) mastectomy as well as reconstruction options.

5.5. Mammography Screening for Breast Cancer
Sally Herschorn, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

In her presentation, Dr. Sally Herschorn will review some of the science for mammography as a screening test, discuss who should be screened and what this process entails. Also discussed will be newer adjuncts to mammography for screening certain women.

5.6. Share Your Story
Facilitators: Margie Cole, MSW and Sally Mattson, MA

Share Your Story sessions are informal, each with a facilitator. What has cancer taught you? Do you have some encouragement for fellow travelers on this cancer journey? Come and share, for 2-3 minutes, your words of wisdom, spiritual gifts, advice for patients, and lessons for health care providers; or simply come and listen. You may also post your entire story on the conference Web site. See the Share Your Story section for instructions.

5.7. Mindfulness, Stress Reduction and Yoga
Theora Ward, RN, MEd, CKYT

This workshop will include a brief explanation of mindfulness and how it relates to stress reduction and the connection between mindfulness, and yoga, and healing.

5.8. Aromatherapy in Healing
Valerie Pallotta, RA

True Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit. Aromatherapy is a complementary healing modality. By simply smelling an essential oil you can reduce nausea, anxiety and fear. By applying a diluted essential oil to the skin or in a bath, you can reduce aches and pains and increase relaxation. This session will provide an overview of the benefits of aromatherapy and participants may sample some of the oils used to enhance quality of life.

5.9. Lymphedema and Skin Care
Maggi Shadroui, PT, CLT-LANA; Jennifer Moore, PT, CLT-LANA; Elaine Belanger, PT, CLT

The superficial lymphatics live in the skin. As a first defense against infection, skin care is one of the important parts of reducing the risks of lymphedema, cellulitis, and promoting good health. We will cover general foundation information on what the lymphatic system is, what lymphedema is and what treatment looks like.

5.10. Explore and Experience Meditation and Energy Healing
Rev. Regis Cummings and Betty Blouin, RN

Our presentation flows from a Judeo-Christian faith vision of the human person. We will explore imaged meditation, which invites our active imagination to enter into our healing process, and imageless meditation following the teaching of Fr. John Main, OSB, in responding to the Psalmist Proclamation — Be Still and Know That I Am God. Energy healing, laying on of hands, healing and therapeutic touch — different terms of harnessing the energy of love, will be offered.

5.11. Men's Session

An informal, facilitated discussion for men whose wives have any type of cancer.

5.12. COFFEE CHAT - Interactions Between Supplements and Oncology Treatments
Felicia Foster, RN, BS, DAy

Ms. Foster will offer information on the safe integration of vitamins, herbal supplements and pharmaceuticals and will also discuss the importance of communicating with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information given is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.

5.13. COFFEE CHAT - Talking with Your Pathologist: The Doctor You Never See
Donald Weaver, MD

Participants are encouraged to get a copy of their pathology report prior to the workshop, so that they can ask questions about the significance of each of the findings on the report. Your pathologist will be working with your oncology care providers to use the information in directing your treatments. This workshop is intended to help you better understand the terms used in the reports and the significance of each finding.

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Patricia O'Brien, MD

Patricia O'Brien trained at the UVM College of Medicine specializing in internal medicine. She currently provides lymphedema consultations at Fletcher Allen. She serves as Co-Chair of this conference and is on the grant committee for the VT-NH affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She has served on many boards including the Stowe Weekend of Hope, the VT-NH Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Cancer Patient Support Program. Dr. O'Brien is herself a 12-year breast cancer survivor.

Cheung Wong,MD

Cheung Wong is the Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen and an Assistant Professor in the Department of OB/GYN at the UVM College of Medicine. Dr. Wong's clinical practice includes screening and treating women for gynecologic cancers. Currently, he is researching the etiology of ovarian cancer with several members from the VCC.

Mary Stanley, MD

Mary Stanley is a Surgical Oncologist at Fletcher Allen whose career is dedicated to the treatment of both malignant and benign breast diseases and her practice interest is dedicated to diseases of the breast. She is Assistant Professor at the UVM College of Medicine.

Sally Herschorn, MD

Sally Herschorn is the Medical Director for the Breast Imaging Division at Fletcher Allen and is an Associate Professor of Radiology at the UVM College of Medicine.

Margie Cole, MSW

Margie Cole is a member of the board of the VT-NH affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and is chair of the Education Committee. She is a social worker employed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in the Breast Care Center.

Sally Mattson, MA

Sally Mattson is a licensed Vermont psychologist practicing in Brattleboro. She is a breast cancer survivor and is currently writing a book of narratives based on her interviews with breast cancer survivors.

Theora Ward, RN, MEd, CKYT

Theora Ward holds a Master's degree in Special Education, is a Registered Nurse, and a Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor. She is a breast cancer survivor and is currently teaching yoga in both Burlington and Hinesburg. Her work includes special classes for women touched by cancer.

Valerie Pallotta, RA

Valerie Pallotta is a Registered Aromatherapist and is the former Vermont Director for the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy.

Maggi Shadroui, PT, CLT-LANA

Maggi Shadroui is a Lymphedema Therapist in the Rehabilitation Outpatient Center at Fletcher Allen treating both inpatient and outpatient cases.

Jennifer Moore, PT, CLT-LANA

Jennifer Moore is a Lymphedema Therapist in Fletcher Allen's Rehabilitation Outpatient Center, treating both inpatient and outpatient cases.

Elaine Belanger, PT, CLT

Elaine Belanger received her lymphedema training through Klose-Norton Consultants in 2003. She has specialized in lymphedema treatment for the past 3 years. She is employed by Fletcher Allen's Rehabilitation Outpatient Center, treating both inpatient and outpatient cases.

Rev. Regis Cummings

Regis Cummings is a Permanent Deacon at Saint Augustine Church in Montpelier. He is co-founder of the Central Vermont Cancer Support Group and the Christian Mediation Center in Montpelier. He is also a member of the Central Vermont Hospital Ethics Committee and Clergy Advisory Board.

Felicia Foster RN, BS, DAy

Felicia Foster is a nurse who works in collaboration with health care professionals at Fletcher Allen and the University of Vermont.

Betty Blouin, RN

Betty Blouin currently works as a nurse for Project Independence. She is co-founder of the Central Vermont Cancer Support Group, the Christian Mediation Center and the Foundation for Compassionate Care.

Donald Weaver, MD

Donald Weaver is a pathologist/ attending physician at Fletcher Allen, and a Professor at the UVM College of Medicine. Dr. Weaver's current research focuses on the prognostic significance of occult micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes from breast cancer patients enrolled in a large cooperative group trial (NSABP B-32). He also studies population-based pathology outcomes in breast cancer surveillance through mammography and image-based screening.

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