The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Nebraska Department
of Health and Human Services will sponsor training sessions for nurses
and staff from 475 clinics around the state offering breast and cervical
cancer screenings through the HHS Every Woman Matters program.
Nearly 700 health professionals have enrolled for the free sessions
which are being held at six Nebraska sites during November. Attendees receive
four hours of continuing nursing education credit through the UNMC College
of Nursing.
Sessions have already been held in North Platte (Nov. 1 and 2),
Scottsbluff/Gering (Nov. 2 and 3), Hastings/Grand Island (Nov. 8 and 9),
and Lincoln (Nov. 11 and 12). The final two sessions will be held in Norfolk
(Nov. 15 and 16) and Omaha (Nov. 18 and 19).
“The response has been beyond my wildest imagination,” said Larry Willis,
Ed.D., director of the UNMC Center for Continuing Education. “The missions
of UNMC and HHS are to serve the health needs of the state. It’s a great
example of how two agencies can work together on behalf of the entire state.”
The program will be moderated by Sharon Cheney, a Lincoln nurse humorist
who heads her own company, Cheney Associates. She also will also be a presenter.
Other presenters are Diane Dodendorf, Ph.D., an Omaha nurse/psychologist
specializing in preventive medicine and women’s health, and Melissa Leypoldt,
a Lincoln nurse who is director of the HHS Every Woman Matters program.
The goals of the program are: to identify preventative services reminder
systems and clinic systems for tracking abnormal results; to recognize
how respect and relationship behaviors impact people from different backgrounds;
and to explain and follow-up with women regarding psychosocial issues related
to cancer treatment choices. It also will include training on Every Woman
Matters policies and procedural updates that affect reimbursement and clinical
processes.
“We really didn’t know how many participants to expect, since we haven’t
offered continuing nursing education credits in the past,” said Victoria
Schwab, professional educator for the HHS Every Woman Matters. “Judging
from the high turnout at each site, it’s obvious this was a worthwhile
endeavor. It’s always very beneficial to have clinic staff trained in the
procedures of our program and to increase their knowledge about screening
and communication.”
“Each year, the program seems to get better and better,” said Joyce
Holcomb, who attended one of the sessions held in Gering. It’s a much needed
update which allows Every Woman Matters programs to operate more efficiently.”
Holcomb is nurse coordinator for the reproductive health program at Panhandle
Community Services in Scottsbluff.
Funds for the project were provided through the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
Cooperative Agreement with the Nebraska Department of HHS.
Under the Every Woman Matters program, women 40 years and above who
meet established income guidelines can get mammograms and Pap tests at
no cost or for $5 every year. For more information on what it takes to
qualify for the program, call toll free (800) 523-2227.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education, outreach and patient care,
UNMC has established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for
cancer research and treatment and solid organ transplantation. Nearly $31
million in research grants and contracts were awarded to UNMC scientists
during the past fiscal year. In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are
responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska
than any other institution.