The following are highlights from the Inaugural Caribbean Cancer Survivorship Conference, organized as a collaborative effort, between the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), Cancer survivors in Action (CSIA), City of Hope and Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC); held on October 21, 2016 at the National Academy for Performing Arts, Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago.
Cancer Survivors, oncologist, medical practitioners, oncology nurses and other health care professionals met at this forum in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The attendees were introduced the concept of survivorship, and there were opportunities to share experiences and strategies in response to the current burden cancer has on communities here in the Caribbean region and globally.
Conference presentations focused on Survivorship and the delivery of care to cancer patients and the role it had in enhancing the quality of lives of cancer patients from diagnosis to treatment and throughout their cancer survival.
A very special feature of the conference was the Community Consultation which was facilitated by HCC on behalf of NCD Alliance. The Conference was the first of its kind in the region and was very successful. Specially invited guest in attendance were the The Honorable Terrence Deyalsingh – Minister of Health, Professor Kenneth S. Julien (Emeritus, T.C) -Chariman of the Board of Govenors, UTT and Professor Dyer Narinesingh, Dr. Agatha Carrington, Assistant Professor/Program Leader, master’s in Health Administration (MHA), UTT among others including regional guest and international guest. Sponsors who generoulsy contributed to this conference include, Caribbean Airlines, First Citizens Bank, Namdevco, Atlantic LNG, S.M. Jaleel, Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Kalloos Auto Rental and Transport, HCC, UTT.
One of the main outcomes of the conference is the “Cancer Survivorship Guide” Towards Improving the Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors: The booklet was officially launched at the conference and is the first of its kind in the region which has resources for patients in Trinidad and tobago. The expected impact is that the booklet would be used as a resource for survivors here in Trinidad and Tobago and would be a model for use in the region. The booklet was sponsored by First Citizens Bank.
Below is a video of the speech given by Professor Kenneth S. Julien (Emeritus, T.C) -Chariman of the Board of Govenors, UTT who pointed out the importance of Survivorship and UTT’s commitment to supporting programs that impact communities.
A Community Conversation with Women with a Previous Diagnosis of Cancer
The HCC held its first Community Consultation with People Living with NCDs on October 21, 2016 as part of the UTT/CSIA Inaugural Cancer Survivorship Conference (see above). The initiative was implemented with the support of the NCD Alliance and Medtronic Philanthropy through the ‘Strengthening Health Systems, Supporting NCD Action’ global program. The goal of the community consultation was to inform the development of a draft Caribbean Patient-led Cancer Advocacy Agenda which will form part of a larger regional and ultimately global Advocacy Agenda for people living with Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
This first conversation with female cancer survivors was led by Dr. Natalie Greaves a lecturer at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus. Discussions were focussed on exploring key themes relating to the illness/ wellness experience of cancer survivors and gathering patient/survivor/caregiver initiated recommendations for addressing barriers along the care continuum. The key themes were: challenges in cancer care; nomenclature related to living with a diagnosis of cancer; strategies for improving engagement of persons with a diagnosis of cancer to initiate patient-led advocacy- including at the policy level; and the position of cancer in the broader NCD Agenda. A report from the consultation will be available on the roundup and the HCC website soon.
Cancer Survivors Breakfast Forum
The weekend continued on Saturday 22nd October at Ortinola Great House, in Maracas St Joseph, Trinidad. The breakfast forum a collaboration between UTT, CSIA and HCC and sponsored by HCC provided an intimate setting for survivors to share openly with speakers and ask the presenting physicians/ oncologist questions about their diagnosis. Speakers and special guest were very moved by the stories shared by the survivors and have stated their desire to get involved in improving Survivorship in the Caribbean region.
A Cancer Survivor story : Mrs Shirley Smith shared her story which moved the conference attendees.
Picnic en Blush – The grand finally to the conference weekend
Cancer Survivors in Action’s first Charity event held on Sunday 23rd October 2016, was quite a success. Guest were treated to a beautiful evening of entertainment and delicious culinary delights. The event was hosted at La Soledad Estate, a breathtaking location in Maracas St Joseph.
See additional images in our gallery below.
Pre-Conference Detail
The Inaugural Caribbean Cancer Survivorship Conference will take place on Friday October 21, 2016 at UTT’s Campus @ NAPA, Theatre 1, Keate Street, Walk-in-Entrance, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Registration
Registration: On day of Conference TTD$350, Conference registration fee covers all programme materials, coffee breaks and lunch. Download more information and the registration form here.
This conference is a collaboration between Cancer Survivors in Action – Caribbean Coalition, UTT, HCC and City of Hope, CCARE.
Inaugural Caribbean Cancer Survivorship Conference:
Keynote Speaker
Dr Andaz: “Technical Advances in Breast Cancer – What is to be expected on the horizon”
Dr. Charusheela Andaz, Associate Director, Brooklyn Breast Cancer Program
Dr. Charusheela Andaz
Dr. Andaz is an Indian born breast surgeon who has made NYC her home for almost three decades. She completed her surgical training at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. She was fascinated by the ethnically diverse population of Brooklyn which has a population of over three million. She is the Associate Director of Breast Surgery at the Gilbert Rivera Breast Center affiliated to the Maimonides Medical Center and has been helping the women of Brooklyn and beyond in their fight against breast cancer for the last eighteen years. She is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is the fellow of American tramadol cheap no prescription overnight College of Surgeons.
Dr. April Barbour: “Models of Survivorship Care”
Dr. April Barbour, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P, Program Director, Primary Care Residency, George Washington University
Dr April Barbour
April Barbour, MD, MPH, is an internist with The GW Medical Faculty Associates and an associate professor of medicine with The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed her undergraduate degree at University of Virginia and graduated from medical school at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. After completing her internal medicine residency at Emory University, she joined the Division of General Medicine at the Emory Clinic. During her stint at Emory, she received her Master’s in Public Health from the Rollins School of Public Health. In 2003, she relocated to D.C. and joined the Medical Faculty Associates. In 2005, she became the Program Director for the Primary Care residency program, and has been very involved in medical-student and resident education ever since. Her approach to patient care is holistic and patient-centered. Full Bio
Dr. Strickland: “Hope and Empowerment for the Survivors”
Dr Rita Strickland
Dr. Rita D. Strickland is the former Chair of the Nursing Department at New York Institute of Technology. Her educational background is extensive – a graduate of Kings County School of Nursing, two baccalaureate degrees from Ithaca and Medgar Evers Colleges, two masters’ degrees from Hunter College and Columbia University and a doctorate degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She has been a nurse educator for more than twenty years and has lectured nationally on a variety of topics such as, cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, health care disparities, and numerous other subjects. Full Bio
Ms. Kimberley Badal – Oral Presentation – “Improving Cancer Survivorship in Trinidad and Tobago: A Possible Role for Precision Medicine”
Ms. Kimberley Badal
Ms. Kimberly Badal, MSc (Executive Director of Caribbean Cancer Research Initiative) is an aspiring doctoral candidate whose academic training lay heavily in the core Biomedical Sciences. She has worked in laboratories across the world on projects such as HIV vaccine design at the University of Amsterdam and the characterization of Chikungunya and Dengue viruses at UWI St. Augustine. She now focuses on the efficient translation of medical advances into the public health care system. Her vested interest is in reducing the chronic non-communicable disease burden in developing countries through sound scientific research and program implementation.
Dr. Agatha Carrington, PhD
Dr. Agatha Carrington
Dr. Agatha Carrington, Assistant Professor and Programme Leader, Health Sciences Department, University of Trinidad and Tobago, is a health management, policy and planning specialist and now has updated her expertise to include medical sociology. She is a graduate of the University of Leeds, UK and the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Dr. Carrington’s areas of expertise include Medical sociology, Health Service Management , Planning and Policy; Healthcare Accounting and Financial Management; Health Policy and Protocol Development; Human Resource Management/Industrial Relations; and Quality Management in Health Care.
Cancer Survivor’s Breakfast Forum
Saturday October 22nd, 2016, 8:00am – 11:00am at Ortinola Great House, Maracas St Joseph, Trinidad and Tobago
Sponsored by: Ortinola Great House, Cancer Survivors in Action, UTT and HCC.
Dr. Sheridan: “Breast Cancer from a Historical and Spirital Perspective”
Bernadette Sheridan
Dr. Bernadette Sheridan has more than 30 years of experience in Family Practice. Dr. Sheridan was a member of a three doctor Family Practice group that has provided comprehensive care to the community for the past 15 years. In an area where many physicians come to train, go on to specialize and leave the community, this group of Family Doctors was among those who made the decision to stay. Many of the patients that she cared for while doing her training as a House Officer are still her patients in 2016. Full Bio
Dr. Shevon Joseph: “Perceptions, myths and mysteries that impact breast cancer screening, diagnosis and management within immigrant communities in NYC”
Dr Shevon Joseph
Dr. Shevon Joseph is an attending physician in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the NYU Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn,NY. A bustling 450-bed teaching hospital, LMC offers a full range of services. Dr.Joseph’s multifaceted role as an Attending physician entails providing affordable comprehensive outpatient women’s health care at one of the NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers. She also provides inpatient care at the hospital and is responsible for training and preparing postgraduates in the OBGYN residency program as well as medical student education. Her career path began after migrating from South Trinidad (where she completed high school and sixth form studies), to Washington, DC to attend Howard University. Full Bio
Jasmin Holder, RN, CCM: ” Empowering the cancer patient – Faith in all options available”
Jasmin B Holder
Jasmin B. Holder RN, CCM, CMCN is currently a Senior Nurse Case Manager with Affinity Health Plan, a managed care health plan in the Bronx New York, USA. She completed her initial nurse training at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel London as a student of City University London and St Bartholomew’s Newham and Princess Alexandra College of Nursing and Midwifery. She is licensed and registered as an RN in USA New York and Florida, London and Trinidad and Tobago. She holds certifications as a Certified Case Manager from the Commission for Case Manager Certification and Certified Managed Care Nurse from American Association of Managed Care Nurses. She has an extensive background in the health insurance managed care industry having worked in both New York and Florida for fortune 500 health insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and Coventry Health Plans of Florida. Full Bio
Related event
Picnic En Blush Charity Event
Sunday October 23rd, 2016, 2:00pm – 7:00pm at a Breathtaking Secret Location, Trinidad and Tobago.
Visit the Picnic En Blush Charity Event Facebook page here.
Hosted by: CSIA – Caribbean Coalition
