Medical Center Auxiliary Fashion Show Luncheon to Benefit Palliative Care Program
Meteorologist Demetrius Ivory to Forecast Spring Fashion Trends as Event Emcee
Jefferson Hills, PA - March 22, 2011
WTAE-TV meteorologist Demetrius Ivory (in photo) will emcee Jefferson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary’s annual fundraiser spring fashion show and luncheon on Saturday, April 9, at South Hills Country Club. Proceeds will benefit Jefferson Regional Palliative Care program. The event opens at 11:30 a.m. with a Chinese auction and jewelry sale.
Tickets at $30 each are available by calling the Auxiliary office at 412-469-5790. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.
About the Palliative Care program at Jefferson Regional Medical Center:
Jefferson Regional’s Palliative Patient and Family Support Services initiative offers help through all stages of a serious illness. The goal of the program is to prevent and relieve suffering and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of the disease or the need for other therapies.
An interdisciplinary team that includes a nurse, social worker and chaplain works together with a patient’s primary care physician to assist with:
- Symptoms of pain, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue and other distressing symptoms.
- Determining personal treatment goals and choosing among treatment options.
- Support for resolving questions and conflicts between families/patients and physicians concerning goals of care, DNR (do not resuscitate) orders and treatment requests.
- Problems related to emotional and spiritual suffering.
- Planning for a patient’s hospital discharge and for palliative care after they leave.
Members of the Palliative Care team of specialists at Jefferson Regional include: Uzma Khan, MD, medical director of Palliative Patient and Family Support Services; Joseph Cvitkovic, PhD, director, Behavioral Health; Rev. Paul Edwards, chaplain; Sr. Nancy Hupert, CSJ, consultant; Vincent Bryner, RN, OCN; Judith Abbott, RN, CCM, and Ruth Zalonis, RN, OCN.
Dr. Khan said that palliative care is appropriate for any stage of a serious illness and is different from hospice care, which is meant for those approaching the last stages of life.
“Palliative Care affirms life by supporting the patient’s and family’s goals for the future, including their hopes for a cure or life prolongation as well as their hopes for dignity throughout the course of illness, the dying process and death,” said Dr. Khan.
For more information about Palliative Care Services at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, please call 412-469-7074.