Conference Agenda

3:30-4:15 PM — SESSION SIX

6.1. Food for Thought - Can You Fight Cancer with Your Fork?
Jennifer May, RD (Nursing Contact Hours)

Can what you eat really make a difference in whether or not you develop cancer? The goal of this presentation is to shine some light on this question and provide recommendations on specific choices we can all make today and everyday to help fight cancer with our forks!

6.2. Surgical Interventions for Breast Cancer
Seth Harlow, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

This session will discuss the current options for surgical treatment of the breast in breast cancer: lumpectomy, mastectomy and axilliary node biopsy and/or dissection. And will describe the current options for surgical management of the regional lymph nodes in breast cancer.

6.3. Cervical Cancer Screening & Prevention
Emmanuel Soultanakis, MD (Nursing Contact Hours)

This session will cover the current recommendations for screening in women at high risk for cervical cancer.

6.4. How to Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks
Beverly Kirkhart

This session focuses on five steps to survive and thrive after life challenging situations. These proven steps teach us how to look at adversity as an opportunity.

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

Continued from Session Five

6.6. Constructing a Cure for Cancer: How One Family is Making a Difference
Kim Ireland

Diminishing the side effects of successful cancer treatments and eradicating cancer-related deaths is an enormous challenge and an expensive battle that requires intellectual dedication, financial and emotional support, and an unwavering belief that the goal is absolutely attainable. Hear how the Ireland family was inspired to support cancer research, and how the S.D. Ireland Cancer Research Fund is helping to move important discoveries forward.

6.7. 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.

6.8. 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.

6.9. Vermont Lymphedema Network

Sessions for Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists.

6.10. COFFEE CHAT - Using Art to Feel Better
Catherine King, MA, LCMHC

Participants will discuss how they can use artwork to explore and express their feelings related to cancer. Those present will also have an opportunity to experience how artwork can be used in their relaxation practice and in connecting to hope.

6.11. COFFEE CHAT - Healthy Home, Clean Water
Charon Ferland

Keep your family safe from potentially dangerous chemical exposures in your home and garden. Learn how to identify potentially toxic chemicals in your cleaning and lawn care products, how to dispose of them safely and how to find safer alternatives.

6.12. COFFEE CHAT - Massage Therapy for the Person with Cancer: Can It Help? Can It Hurt?
Sharon Panitch

Massage therapy has long been recognized for its ability to provide relaxation and relieve muscle tension, but are there special concerns for a person who has cancer or for cancer survivors? What kind of information does your massage therapist need to work on you safely? Does your oncologist need to know that you're receiving massage therapy? We will examine these questions and more, as well as look at how massage therapy may be helpful in alleviating some chemotherapy side effects.

6.13. Fly Casting Workshop &mdash Casting for Recovery

This workshop takes place in the parking lot. Please meet near the Registration Table.

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Jennifer Ohler May, RD

Jennifer Ohler May is a Registered Dietitian working part-time with the Cancer Patient Support Program. She provides nutrition counseling to patients at the cancer clinic at Fletcher Allen and offers workshops and lectures to the community on various cancer and cancer prevention topics. She received her Bachelor's of Science in Dietetics/Nutrition & Food Sciences at UVM and completed her dietetic internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Seth Harlow, MD

Seth Harlow is Associate Professor at the UVM College of Medicine. He is also the Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and the Director of the Breast Care Center at Fletcher Allen.

Emmanuel Soultanakis, MD

Emmanuel Soultanakis is a Gynecologic Oncologist in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Fletcher Allen and is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UVM College of Medicine.

Beverly Kirkhart

Beverly Kirkhart, breast cancer survivor since 1993, is an author and co-founder of the Breast Resource Center of Santa Barbara with surgeon and best-selling author Dr. Susan Love.

Kim Ireland

Kim Ireland is a dynamic, passionate advocate for the importance of cancer research, and she and husband Scott have been long-time supporters of cancer research in Vermont. The Ireland family, owners of the S.D. Ireland Companies in Burlington, endowed the S.D. Ireland Professor of Surgery at UVM held by cancer physician-scientist Dr. David Krag and also created the S.D. Ireland Cancer Research Fund to support the work they believe in so strongly.

Valerie Pallotta, RA

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

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.

Catherine King, MA, LCMHC

Catherine King is an activities therapist on inpatient psychiatry at Fletcher Allen. She holds a Master's degree in Art Therapy and is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

Charon Ferland

Charon Ferland is Environmental Health Programs Manager at the Association of Vermont Recyclers, a local non-profit. She educates and provides technical assistance to schools and the public to help them reduce or eliminate the use of toxic cleaners and lawn care products. She lost her mother to breast cancer and is herself a cancer survivor.

Sharon Panitch

Sharon Panitch is a nationally certified Massage Therapist in Burlington. She provides massage therapy to hematology and oncology patients at Fletcher Allen, with a grant from the Victoria Buffum Endowed Fund.

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