Integrating Palliative Care into Comprehensive Cancer Care

A leader in palliative medicine, Charles F. von Gunten, MD, PhD, will be providing three seminars in Sioux City March 15-16, 2017. Oncologists, radiologists, residents, palliative care nurses, nursing professionals and other health care professionals should join us to learn about integrating palliative care into an oncology treatment plan.   Dr. von Gunten developed an early model of hospital-based palliative care that is the basis for the palliative care programs that now exist in 60 percent of the nation's hospitals. He is the Vice President of Medical Affairs, Hospice and Palliative Medicine for OhioHealth.  There is no charge to attend the program, which includes free CMEs, CEUs and food. A special program for physician networking will be offered at the Sioux City Country Club on Wednesday evening, March 15 from 6-7:30pm. Thursday, March 16 there are two programs offered, one from 7-8:30a.m. at Unity Point with breakfast provided and one at Mercy Medical Center from 11:30a.m. -1p.m. with lunch provided.  This program is provided through a grant with the Iowa Cancer Consortium and led by Karen Van De Steeg at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. The goal is to improve patient outcomes by maximizing patient access to palliative care.  Integrating palliative care early in the disease process can result in improvements in quality of life, symptom control, patient and caregiver satisfaction, quality of end-of-life care, survival, and decrease the costs of care. The event organizers include the June E. Nylen Cancer Center, Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City and Unity Point Health-St. Luke's, Hospice of Siouxland, Siouxland Medical Education Foundation, Iowa Cancer Consortium and the American Cancer Society.  Register online by March 1 to be eligible to WIN A TABLET! For details on the program and to register go to www.mercysiouxcity.com under Classes & Events.