Community West Foundation: ‘Triumph Fore the Cure’ Supports Breast Cancer Services

Dr. Debra Pratt, Program Director Fairview Hospital Breast Health Center with cancer survivor Marilyn Olson and Mary Longdon, PA.

Golfers were greeted by perfect summer weather at Westwood Country Club on Monday, June 20, as Community West Foundation hosted the 23rd annual Triumph Fore the Cure Golf Outing in support of the Cleveland Clinic Breast Health Center at Fairview Hospital.

The annual summer event offers a great time on the links followed by a luncheon filled with distinctive highlights.

Dr. Neil Smith, President of Fairview Hospital, made a special appearance to thank sponsors and participants for their important support of the Triumph Fore the Cure mission.

He was joined by Debra Pratt, MD, Program Director Fairview Hospital Breast Health Center, and Mary Longdon, PA, who introduced cancer survivor Marilyn Olson. Marilyn shared her experience as a patient in the very special Shared Medical Appointment program offered at the Center.

“Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are an innovative way to create appointment access and improve patient care,” said Longdon, a founder of the Clinic program. At Fairview Hospital, the breast cancer survivor SMA is held one Wednesday a month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Four to eight women attend the SMAs, where they have short, individual clinical examinations then meet as a group to discuss common survivorship issues and receive education.

: Thanks to the continuing support of RPM International, Inc., for the 23rd annual Triumph Fore the Cure Golf Outing to support The Breast Health Center at Fairview Hospital.

: Sharon Hollis and daughter, Lauren Hollis with Dr. Neil Smith, President, Fairview Hosptial. Lauren supports the Cleveland Clinic Breast Health Center by holding a refreshment stand fund-raiser during the golf outing each year.

: Many thanks to ShurTech for their continuing sponsorship of the Triumph Fore the Cure.

Longdon meets with each patient privately, taking vital signs, checking medications and performing breast exams. Then all the women gather in a group where they share any questions and hear about some aspect of survivorship. “Having shared medical appointments is just one idea for addressing the long-term care and education needs of these patients,” said Longdon.

Shared Medical Appointments are an innovative way to create appointment access and improve patient care. In addition, the women share ideas and learn from one another. “I am amazed at the emotional support they give one another,” Longdon says. “They understand they are not alone.”

For more information contact Mary Longdon at 216-476-7769.