Mercy Wins Award for Program to Help Breast Cancer Survivors Regain Quality of Life
Mercy Medical Center has received the Spirit of Excellence Award for Community from Modern Healthcare magazine for a program that helps breast cancer patients combat the most common side effects of breast cancer treatment. Mercy’s program is called the Especially for Me Breast Cancer Survivor Wellness Study. This is the 14th year Modern Healthcare has recognized select hospitals nationwide for their commitment to service, quality and the communities they serve.
Especially for Me is a free 12-week program that addresses two of the toughest obstacles breast cancer survivors face: fatigue and weight gain. It is designed for women who have completed chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment within the past three years. Participants are referred to the program by their physician.
The program is a guided exercise plan with a personal health coach, one-on-one consultation sessions with a dietitian and occupational therapist, and small group educational sessions conducted by health care professionals.
Leslie Meyer of Cedar Rapids is a breast cancer survivor who credits Mercy’s Especially for Me wellness program and Mercy Fitness Center staff for boosting her recovery.
“This is exactly what I needed,” Meyer said. “Mercy’s trainers developed an individualized program that created a path of success for me. They were supportive and encouraging. I feel 100 percent better.”
Sixty patients have taken part in the program so far. Mercy’s study will continue through December 2007, tracking 100 women’s recovery through fitness and learning healthy lifestyle choices.
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