Lions Club raises funds for childhood cancer: Seacoast health news
Local Lions Club 'Corn Hole for a Cure' raises funds for childhood cancer research at Dartmouth Health
DOVER — The Lions Club of Dover, Rollinsford and South Berwick drew a large crowd in their Second Annual “Cornhole for a Cure” fundraiser on Aug. 12 at the Dunn Farm in Berwick, Maine. Almost $12,000 was raised with $6,000 going directly to childhood cancer research, in partnership with Dartmouth Health. Additional funds raised will further the activities of the Lions Club locally, particularly in the areas of conservation, vision, hunger, and childhood cancer.
The event was officiated by Joe Be of INFAMOUScorNHole. The weather was perfect as 40-50 teams, including players of all levels, participated in the friendly competition. Raffles, prizes, tee shirts, a barbecue and music rounded out the day bringing smiles to all involved.
The local business community rallied to support this event with sponsors including SC Digital/Loud Canvas Media, M&T Bank, Jennifer Halteman Insurance, Jayco Disposal, Key Auto Group, BankNH, High Effect Web Design, Insurcomm, Kennebunk Savings, Kind Farms, Seacoast Tree Care, Somersworth Nissan, J. Lapierre Construction and Servpro.
Dartmouth Health Children’s is New Hampshire's only children's hospital. According to Sarah E. Earnest, Development Officer of the Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth is poised to have a direct and immediate impact on preventing cancer in children as a national leader in cancer research. Dartmouth researchers are working to refine approaches, protocols, and education for pediatric screening in a way that empowers doctors and parents — and saves children’s lives. For more information about the Lions Club of Dover, Rollinsford, South Berwick, visit https://www.facebook.com/DRSBLionsClub
Dartmouth Health psychiatrist develops first-ever substance use disorder screening algorithm for patients with severe mental illness
LEBANON– Dartmouth Health addiction psychiatrist Corneliu N. Stanciu, MD, director of Addiction Services at New Hampshire Hospital (NHH), has developed a new screening protocol for patients at state acute psychiatric hospitals who might benefit from targeted interventions for substance use disorder (SUD), which is currently being tested at NHH.
The SUD screening and referral algorithm, which was described in a peer-reviewed study published in The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders earlier this year, is the first of its kind in the medical field and the only screening tool that does not require input from the patient. This is crucial since patients experiencing an acute psychiatric emergency may not be able to provide information regarding their substance use. Instead, the screening tool uses data points from available medical and law enforcement records, such as results from drug screenings at hospital emergency departments, current or past sobriety treatment regimens and involuntary commitments or failures to comply with conditional discharge terms based on substance use. This protocol allows clinicians to more accurately identify patients who would benefit from early screening by a psychiatrist who specializes in SUD who can then refer them appropriately.
The new process, which is being tested in one out of eight units at NHH, promises to improve patient outcomes by making treatment interventions available to patients sooner, ensuring those who would benefit from it won’t fall through the cracks during intake, as well as creating greater efficiencies by more effectively using the time of specialty psychiatrists and other resources.
Stanciu developed the algorithm with the help of statisticians at Dartmouth. A study of referral data collected between July 2019 and February 2021 helped determine the decision tree upon which the algorithm is based. After collecting and analyzing one year of data from testing of the new screening algorithm at NHH, Stanciu plans on fine tuning it as needed and implementing it hospital-wide.
Dartmouth Health Chair of Psychiatry William C. Torrey, MD, said the screening algorithm would be well suited to acute psychiatric hospitals everywhere.
Prostate Cancer Support Group of New Hampshire announces next meeting
The Prostate Cancer Support Group of New Hampshire announces its next meeting to be held by Zoom on Nov. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. This meeting will feature a Prostate Cancer Foundation webinar replay, "Mental and Emotional Wellness" with prostate cancer specialist Dr. Charles Ryan and well known television personality, medical doctor, and prostate cancer survivor Dr. Drew Pinsky presenting. The webinar includes a presentation and guided exercise on Mindful Breathing as a practical life skill for dealing with stress with Mindy Utay, LICSW. Discussion of the webinar, of stress reduction, and of the support group’s members’ own issues will follow in the second hour of the meeting.
Group meetings are held monthly on the second Wednesday of each month. PCSG-NH is comprised of both men and women in New Hampshire living with challenges of prostate cancer in their lives and the lives of their partners.
Find the Zoom link on the Prostate Cancer Support Group of New Hampshire’s Facebook page or by emailing dbraiterman@outlook.com.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Lions Club raises funds for childhood cancer: Seacoast health news
