Two UAMS Programs Receive Grants Totaling $98,000 From Arkansas Cancer Coalition

By Susan Van Dusen

Funded for $54,853, a project titled Community-based Tobacco Control will provide tailored evidence-based smoking cessation for UAMS patients at the thoracic oncology clinic at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute and those who are hospitalized following cardiothoracic surgery. The grants also will fund education for cancer health care professionals in the Delta and northeast regions of Arkansas about how to provide evidence-based smoking cessation for their patients. Primary investigators for the grant are certified tobacco treatment therapists Claudia Barone, Ed.D., A.P R.N.; Erna Boone, Dr.P.H., RRT; and Patricia Franklin, A.P.R.N.; and thoracic surgeon Matthew Steliga, M.D.

Funded for $42,980, a project titled Palliative Care Education and Statewide Outreach will offer 12 interactive on-site presentations on topics such as pain management, advance care planning, communication and bereavement. Through a partnership with the UAMS Center for Distance Health, the presentations will be broadcast monthly to health care professionals across the states. The program includes mentoring and outreach on palliative care for rural health care providers. Sarah Beth Harrington, M.D., director of the UAMS Palliative Care Program, is the grant’s primary investigator.

Palliative care is specialized medical care designed to reduce pain and stress while improving quality of life for patients at all stages of illness.

The Arkansas Cancer Coalition’s mission is to facilitate and provide partnerships to reduce the human suffering and economic burden from cancer for the citizens of Arkansas. The coalition provides an overview of the current status of cancer control in Arkansas, maintains a plan of cancer control goals and strategies, and improves the quality of life for those persons affected by cancer. To contact the coalition, call (501) 404-2363, visit www.arcancercoalition.org or like them on Facebook.