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Michigan Cancer Consortium to celebrate 20 years at Nov. 7 annual meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Nov. 5, 2018

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. – Health experts from across the state, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Cancer Prevention and Control Section, will gather to share best practices on reducing the burden of cancer during the Michigan Cancer Consortium’s (MCC) annual meeting Nov. 7. Those who provide inspiration and demonstrate excellence in cancer control and prevention efforts will be honored during the event.

Hosted at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing, the MCC will celebrate its 20th anniversary during the event which features national expert Dr. Camara Jones as its keynote speaker. Jones is a family physician and epidemiologist whose work focuses on the impacts of racism on the health and well-being of the nation. A former assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, Jones served as medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2000-2014.

In addition, the event will feature three sessions and experts from across the state.

  • Cancer Pain: A Deeper Look into the Experience Across the Continuum of Care, Sandy VanBrouwer, MSN, Pediatric Pain and Palliative Medicine, Helen DeVos Children's Hospital; Sean Smith, MD, Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine, Michigan Medicine; and Angela Chmielewski, MD, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak.

  • Your Role in Increasing HPV Vaccination Rates in Michigan, Stephanie Sanchez, Division of Immunization, MDHHS; Marcus DeGraw, MD, St. John Hospital and Medical Center; Cristiane Squarize, DDS, MS, PhD, Periodontics and Oral Medicine at University of Michigan; and Carolyn Johnston, MD, Gynecological Oncology, Michigan Medicine.

  • Using Virtual Care to Address Health Disparities Among Cancer Patients, Becky Sanders, MBA, Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center; Marie Lee, M.Ed., PMP, Henry Ford Health System; and Geralyn Roobol, LMSW, RN, BS, CMAC, Spectrum Health Cancer Program.

Two individuals and an organization will be honored for their contributions in the fight against cancer.

Erika Lojko of Macomb County is receiving the Inspiration Award. This award honors a cancer survivor who has served as an advocate for cancer survivors or health care institutions.

Dr. Carolyn Johnston of the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in Ann Arbor will be presented with the Champion Award. This award honors an individual who has demonstrated leadership, excellence, success and impact in the fight against cancer.

The Karmanos Cancer Institute Michigan Cancer Healthlink for Equity in Cancer Care is receiving the Spirit of Collaboration Award. This award to given to organizations working together to control cancer in Michigan.

The MCC is a statewide partnership of more than 100 organizations representing community-based health care; health care insurance plans; health education, research and evaluation; public health organizations; university-based health care; trade, professional and advocacy organizations; and organizations representing hard to reach and special populations. The MDHHS Cancer Prevention and Control Section receives federal funding for comprehensive cancer control initiatives including coordination of the MCC.

For more information about the MCC, visit Michigancancer.org.

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