Focused on the patient - Baylor Health Care System

<strong>Focused</strong> on you 3In every way, Baylor Charles A. Sammons CancerCenter at Dallas is focused on the patient. Everyone—from physician and nurse to administrator and therapist—knowsthat every moment counts and that caregiven with compassion helps patients through theircancer journey.When patients come to Baylor Sammons CancerCenter, they can make appointments quickly and easilythrough the cancer center Patient Navigation Program(214-820-3535). Their questions are answered. Theyare treated with full attention and concern. They knowwho is helping them, what is being done, and how longit will last. Their care is coordinated—within a healingenvironment.Executive Chief Deputy BobKnowles is a lung cancersurvivor.Such a patient-centered focus is important to you—whether you are the patient, a friend or family member,or a referring physician.Passing on the TORCH:The Ovarian Cancer Support GroupJann Aldredge-Clanton, PhD, Baylor oncology chaplain and facilitator for the ovarian cancersupport group, explained how the women in her group were inspired:It is 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, January 9, 2007. My phone rings. It’s BeckyTeter, exclaiming, “I’ve just had a revelation while I was waiting in the take-out line atWhataburger! I see a torch, and women passing it on to other women! We’re passing thetorch through a book of our stories—you know, the women in the ovarian group writingour stories and publishing them in a book. And I see the title: TORCH! That’s T-O-R-C-H: Tales of Remarkable Courage and Hope. We will pass the torch of hope to otherovarian cancer patients through telling our stories! What do you think?” My immediateresponse is, “Yes! What a great idea! I love the metaphor of the torch, and I know thepower of stories. Go for it.”Facing page: Members ofthe Ovarian Cancer SupportGroup photographed at Ernie’sAppearance Center, locatedin the lobby of the BaylorSammons Cancer Center atDallas.