SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Anne Auguste, CTR [email protected] EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Greetings fellow registrars, Spring is upon us and it symbolizes change, transformation, newness and redemption. Throughout our life we must each cope with various changes whether they be professional, social, financial, physical, or emotional. In order for us to experience the upside of change we need to keep in mind the following: 2014-2015 ELECTED OFFICERS President Anne Auguste, CTR President-Elect/Secretary Walter Sanford, CTR Immediate Past President Carol Hutchison, CTR Treasurer Dinah Merrill, CTR Chairman Nominating Committee Elizabeth Elrod, BS, RHIA, CTR STANDING COMMITTEES Membership Ana Ruiz, CTR FCDS Liaison Joyce Allan, MPH, CTR C-CRAB Liaison Helen Lewis, BS, CTR Bylaws Mayra Espino, BA, RHIT, CTR Historian Gloria Underhill, LPN, CTR Education Jennifer Sanky, CTR FCRA Education Foundation Liaison Jamie Suarez, RHIT, BS, CTR Public Relations/Editor Janet Vogel, CTR Web Master Walter Sanford, CTR Physician Liaison Pedro Heinz Diaz Pow Sang, MD, CTR Presidential Assistant Sally Kruse, CTR 2015 Program Chairs Barbara DeArmon, BS, CTR Sally Kruse, CTR FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 Change is inevitable. If we can accept that it will come then it won’t be such a shock to us when it happens Attitude determines how high we can rise above the negativity. There’s a saying that goes “you will have what you say.” If we can keep a positive attitude and dialogue then eventually things will turn around. Yielding is much easier than resisting. Just like we use less muscles for smiling versus frowning, embracing change is more graceful than fighting against the inevitable. In our profession we are often faced with mounting and everchanging deadlines. The pressure can make us lose sight of our high purpose and even steal the zest out of our zeal. In those moments, how do we keep from losing it? My answer to you is: Remember all of the above and rise to the occasion. Regardless of the difficulty we can still do a good job. Let us never lose sight that our role is critical. We are dealing with people’s lives. We may feel overwhelmed but in fact we are the gate keepers for cancer research and the catalyst to the awaiting cures. Look forward to seeing you at the Annual Conference in July. Keep on sharing your story. 1 SunTimes – Spring 2015 HOW THE CTR CHANGED MY LIFE Sally Kruse, CTR [email protected] I was working at the Museum of Science and Industry as a Clerk and in order to receive a promotion I had to pass a typing test. After four tries I passed – I was very happy to advance to a Clerk Typist II. Now this may not seem very important, but this was the turning point in my life. With my new found credentials I was able to transfer to Tampa General Hospital Tumor Registry. I had no idea what a tumor registry was or even what I would be typing, but it was only a ten minute drive from my home saving gas and time. I never dreamed it would be the start of a growing profession. To say I was overwhelmed as a Tumor Registrar would be an understatement. There was so much to learn and I didn’t know who to call to answer my questions. As luck would have it, I was in the right place at the right time. “FCDS was legislatively mandated in 1978 to collect incidence data on all cases seen in Florida since 1981” and coincidently I began my career in the tumor registry that same year. Everyone that reported to the state had to be trained and FCDS provided the training. I discovered there were SEER Instructional Manuals, FCRA and NCRA. I began by studying the manuals and taking advantage of the educational programs given by FCRA and NCRA. I’ll have to admit that main source of my everyday questions came from other registrars and FCDS. “In 1983 the National Tumor Registrars Association, Incorporated (NTRA) established the first certification examination for tumor registry professionals. Successful candidates earned the credential of Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR).” I was excited that the tumor registrars would have credentials, but frightened that I would not pass. My first year of eligibility was 1984 and much to my surprise I passed the exam. For the first time in my life I was credentialed and was no longer a Clerk Typist, but a Certified Tumor Registrar. The Cancer Committee surprised me with a party and Harvey Greenberg, M.D., the Cancer Committee Chair, presented me with the CTR certificate. My CTR opened doors for me that I would never have dreamed on knocking. My confidence level was zooming – there wassn’t anything I couldn’t do. I enrolled in college and took courses in English Essays, Accounting and Statistics. I learned how to communicate with the written word and began to write. I discovered I could teach what I had learned and was eager to share my new found knowledge in the tumor registry. I began volunteering for FCRA and NCRA – this was the catalyst for my future success and made me what I am today - a professional Cancer Registrar. Since receiving my CTR, I served on the board of FCRA and NCRA in multiple positions culminating in the position of President in both Associations. I began as a Clerk Typist, promoted to a Manager of a large hospital Cancer Registry, and then became Manager of Education Services for Electronic Registry System, Inc. I was able to write educational training programs and present webinars – doing what I loved best, sharing the information I learned with other registrars. I’m now semi-retired working from home three days a week. I wonder where I would be without the CTR. FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 2 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 3 SunTimes – Spring 2015 INTRODUCING FLORIDA’S NEWEST CTRs These candidates passed the exam and formally became Certified Tumor Registrars. Please congratulate these New CTRs. Heather Benson, Honey-in-the Hills Alicia Bock, Orlando Nicole Burmeister-Lintz, Pensacola Lurcretia Garman, Jacksonville Rachel Hatch, Pinellas Park Elizabeth Jernigan, The Villages Jenny Martinez, Lauderhill Lori Massa, Coral Springs Nektarios Pappas, Lake Worth Uma Vempati, Miami 2015 CTR EXAM DATES: June 20 – July 11; application deadline = May 29 October 17 – November 7; application deadline = September 18 ********************************************************************************** FCRA / FCDS TASK FORCE [email protected] The main purpose of this task force is to allow for an easy method of communicating various issues at both the Cancer Registrars and Central Registry level. This task force will tackle problems such as issue resolution, improvement of processes (with the hope of increasing efficiency), and assist in identifying areas of educational needs. The task force direct e-mail is [email protected] please feel free to contact them with any issues you would like the task force to address. FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 4 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 5 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA 2015 PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIRS Barbara J. Dearmon, BS, CTR & Sally Kruse, CTR [email protected] [email protected] The program committee is ready to greet all of you at TradeWinds Island Resort on St. Pete Beach, Florida in July. Our theme is “Surfing the Waves of Knowledge.” We have great speakers and topics for this year’s meeting. The FCRA Education Foundation will host an auction and social networking on Monday, July 27, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. The program brochures will be mailed out by the end of the month and information will be Please visit online link at available on our website at www.fcra.org. http://www.tradewindsresort.com/fcra.aspx for hotel reservations. The annual meeting will be held the last week of July in 2015. The annual meeting dates are: Monday, July 27, 2015 Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Registration Members $200.00 Non-members $250.00 HIM Students: $150.00 The Standard Hotel Room rate for Single/Double is $149.00 plus applicable taxes and fees. To ensure availability, rooms must be reserved by June 27, 2015. Below are additional room rates based on availability at time of reservations. Tropical View Hotel Room $169.00 per room, per night Gulf front Hotel Room $199.00 per room, per night Tropical View One Bedroom Suites $224.00 per night Gulf Front One Bedroom Suites with Balcony $249.00 per night Rooms are based on double occupancy per night and children under 18 are complimentary when sharing a room. All vendors are welcome- if you would like to request information about exhibitor space, please e-mail the program chairs. We look forward to greeting all of you this year. Please contact program chairs for additional questions or concerns. 2015 FCRA Program Chairs Barbara J. Dearmon, BS, CTR St. Vincent’s Medical Center 3 Shircliff Way, Dillon Bldg #207 Jacksonville, FL 32210 [email protected] [email protected] FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 Sally Kruse, CTR Electronic Registry Systems Inc. 4080 Mainlands Blvd North Pinellas Park, FL 33782 [email protected] 6 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 7 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA EDUCATION FOUNDATION LIAISON Jamie Suarez, RHIT, CTR [email protected] Your FCRA Education Foundation is holding a Silent Auction on Monday July 27, 2015, during the FCRA Annual Meeting. We invite you to bring an item to be donated. This could include gift certificates, coupons, or items from any friend or local establishment. Let your imagination soar! If you and your cancer registrar friends would like to make and donate a gift basket these are very popular with your fellow registrars. DONATE YOUR UNWANTED HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: Do you have items that you no longer want or that no longer fit your current décor such as gently used household items which might include wall decorations, lamps, tablecloths, or items you’d like to re-gift? Consider donating a few of these items to the FCRA Auction. SOLICIT DONATIONS: When you are at your favorite restaurants or store or if you know the owner or manager, consider asking them to make a donation. Examples include: Retail Donations: Local boutiques, gift stores, grocery stores, independent toy or drug stores, hardware stores and state-wide movie theaters. Don’t forget the wine & cheese stores or accessories such as wine glasses, glass markers, bottle openers, etc. Auction items may also include sports equipment, building supplies, tools, and non-perishable grocery items: really anyone who sells goods can be asked to donate actual items and/or gift certificates Restaurant Donations: Statewide restaurant chains may provide gift certificates or coupons Does your hospital have give-aways? These items may be grouped together with others to make one interesting “collection”. Maybe an “Office packet” of pens, pencils, letter openers, etc. Check with your Marketing Department to see if they have any “left-over” promotional items they can part with. No donation is too small!! Several small items may be “bundled” together with other like items to make an interesting basket. This is a great fund raiser for the FCRA Foundation. Money raised will be used for educational activities for FCRA Members. All donations can be brought to the meeting or mailed to Gayle Clutter at 9764 Lake Seminole Dr E., Largo, FL 33770. The FCRA Fundraising committee will inventory the donation with the name of the member making the donation & the person/organization making the donation. For additional information, assistance or helpful information on identifying donations, call or email Gayle Clutter at 727-954-6221 or [email protected] ********************************************************************************** HISTORIAN Gloria Underhill, LPN, CTR [email protected] We are looking for photos from the past FCRA meetings! We would like to have a display of past FCRA members and events at the Annual Meeting. Please send them to me and be sure to date each picture and event. Thank you for your help! Gloria A Underhill 810 E Amelia Street Orlando, FL 32803 FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 8 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 9 SunTimes – Spring 2015 BY LAWS Mayra Espino, BA, RHIA, CTR [email protected] Any FCRA member interested in submitting a proposal for a new bylaw or to update or amend an existing bylaw should submit it in writing with the recommendations and include the appropriate section and page number from the bylaws manual. These changes can be sent to me in an email, in a word document attached to an email, or by regular mail. The updates of these bylaws will be made available on the FCRA website. Please send any recommendations to my email [email protected] ********************************************************************************** NOMINATING CHAIR Elizabeth Elrod, RHIT, CTR [email protected] As the 2014/2015 Nominating Chair, I want to thank all the members who have already expressed an interest in becoming involved, but we are not done yet! Now is the time for you to consider taking an extra step and running for one of the open positions with your State Association. Please show your commitment and interest by volunteering to run for one of the following open positions: Nominating Chair - 2015/2016 President Elect/Secretary - 2015/ 2016 Remember – We need everyone to participate in making our FCRA Board a success - Please volunteer to run for office or participate in a committee. Your voice is important and essential for the achievement of our goals! Please provide me your name and a brief profile to be put on the ballot, if you are interested in running for office. Thank you! Elizabeth Elrod FCRA Nominating Chair 863-224-5314 [email protected] FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 10 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 11 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA Education Fundraising Committee Chair/Program Co Chair Barbara J. Dearmon, BS [email protected] PROMOTING CTR PROFESSION This month we will celebrate National Cancer Registrars Week which is a great way to promote the importance of our profession. We are always in need of more cancer registrars to mentor, to guide, and to share knowledge in the cancer registry profession which will help with reducing the shortage of CTRs today. This can be achieved in several ways listed below: Become a NCRA Mentor o Visit NCRA website at http://www.ncra-usa.org/ to learn more about this program Volunteer on the HIM Advisory Committee at your local community colleges Participate in Health Information Management students’ forum promoting job opportunities available in the cancer registration profession Volunteer on the state or national association Become a NCRA Clinical site to host a future CTRs obtaining 160 hours of on the job experience o Acquire support from Senior Management o Check with your education Department o Obtain Business Affiliation Agreements o Students will be required to complete orientation, background screening and be up to date on immunizations Participate on various subcommittees that use registry data throughout hospital Develop a PowerPoint on ”Introduction to Cancer Registry” to share with new Cancer Committee Members and other allied health professionals Submit an article to the hospital newsletter promoting the importance and value of being a CTR Promote National Cancer Registrars’ Week on the hospital intranet with a photo of staff I am honored to be in a position to represent our profession, share the importance of our role and my experience as a cancer registrar. Someone took time to mentor and inspire me in this profession to be successful. Taking time to share your knowledge and skills whenever the opportunity exists to discuss cancer registry profession it makes a difference! Special Note: This NCRW theme was submitted by Dinah Merrill, CTR. FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 12 SunTimes – Spring 2015 FCRA SunTimes–Spring 2015 13
© Copyright 2024