St. John's hospital opens Cancer Resource Center
The Western News
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital recently announced the opening of its Cancer Resource Center.
The center is designed to offer information and mentoring to individuals and families dealing with cancer.
“There is an ocean of information out there on cancer and cancer treatment,” said Linda Matthews, one of two oncology nurses who operate the center. “It is overwhelming and very confusing. What we have done is develop a system to help the patient and their families sift through the information and pare down what information and resources they require, and those that will benefit them the most.”
Matthews and Connie Kreuz provide free one-on-one counseling with patients diagnosed with cancer and their family members. Many other resources are also available, including care bags with a variety of information and organizational tools.
“After the shock of a cancer diagnosis, patients have many questions that aren’t necessarily linked to their clinical outcomes – like the travel associated with treatments, financial assistance, and support groups – just to mention a few,” said Dr. William Cuskelly, medical director of the hospital’s Outpatient Chemotherapy Department.
For more information, call Matthews or Kreuz at 293-0121.
Blehm earns recertification
Amy Blehm, human resources manager at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, recently earned recertification as a professional in human resources.
The recertification, awarded by the HR Certification Institute, signifies that Blehm possesses the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field, and that she has worked hard to stay current in the field of human resources.
To become recertified, an applicant must initially pass a comprehensive examination and demonstrate a strong background of professional human resource experience, as well as obtain a minimum of 60 hours of recertification activities during their certification period.
The HR Certification Institute is the credentialing body for human resource professionals, and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession. The Institute’s purpose is to promote the establishment of professional standards and to recognize professionals who meet those standards.