Health News: Lung screenings, mobile mammograms offered this month

Dr. Mark Currin
 / Photo contributed by CHI Memorial
Dr. Mark Currin / Photo contributed by CHI Memorial
photo Dr. Mark Currin / Photo contributed by CHI Memorial

Mobile mammograms offered

CHI Memorial's mobile health coach will provide mammography screenings at several area locations this month.

-Tuesday, Aug. 21, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Primary Healthcare Center, 205 Jenkins Road in Rossville

-Saturday, Aug. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: The Howard School, 2500 Market St.

-Friday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Partners in Care, 5616 Brainerd Road in Brainerd

photo J. Ted Nelson / Photo contributed by Erlanger

All women between the ages of 35 and 40 should have one screening mammogram. After age 40, a screening mammogram is recommended every year. Any woman who meets these age guidelines and has not had a mammogram in the past 12 months may participate, with or without insurance.

Those with insurance must bring an insurance card and a photo ID, such as a driver's license.

Financial assistance is available for uninsured patients who qualify.

If an abnormality is discovered, the diagnostic work-up is covered and a financial plan is provided for any follow-up care.

Women need to know their doctor's first and last name.

To schedule a screening, call 423-495-4040 or 866-591-2254.

Lung screenings offered this month

CHI Memorial's mobile lung CT coach will provide CT screenings at two area locations.

-Tuesday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Ingles Market, 964 GI Maddox Parkway in Chatsworth, Georgia

-Thursday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: City of Copperhill City Hall, 160 Main St. in Copperhill, Tennessee

Lung cancer screening is a test to look for signs of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people. The low-dose CT scan shows a 3-D image of the lungs that is clearer and more detailed than regular X-rays, allowing doctors to diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stage, before there are any symptoms. This is when lung cancer is most curable. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes.

Risk factors for lung cancer include: age 50 or greater, smoking history, family history of cancer, and exposure to cancer-causing agents (asbestos, diesel fumes, Radon, coal smoke, soot, etc.).

Private insurance companies cover lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals. Medicare and Medicaid also cover lung cancer screening. Grant funds are available for eligible uninsured and under-insured people to have the low-dose lung CT screening.

Call 423-495-5864 to schedule an appointment.

Hospital leader earns top certification

Erlanger Health System's Associate Chief Nursing Officer J. Ted Nelson has been named a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation's leading professional society for health care leaders.

"I am truly honored and humbled to be a part of the health care executives to hold this distinction with The American College of Healthcare Executives," Nelson said in a news release.

To earn Fellow status, candidates must meet academic and experiential criteria, earn continuing education credits, demonstrate professional/community involvement and pass a comprehensive examination. Fellows undergo recertification every three years.

"Ted's commitment to continuous learning and achievement is highlighted by becoming a board certified health care executive and a Fellow of ACHE," said Erlanger President and CEO Kevin Spiegel.

Physician joins Memorial urology group

Dr. Mark Currin has joined CHI Memorial Chattanooga Urology Associates.

Currin received medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He completed an internship in general surgery and a residency in urology at Medical University of South Carolina. His career interests are in the medical and surgical management of stone disease, endourology, urological oncology, minimally invasive and robotic urology, and female incontinence and voiding symptoms. His robotic experience is primarily in kidney, ureteral and prostate surgery.

Currin is returning to his hometown, joining the same practice where his father, Dr. Samuel Currin, practiced for 26 years. Dr. Mark Currin was a whitewater kayak instructor while in college, and served as a medical student volunteer in Uganda during medical school. He enjoys outdoor recreation activities, woodworking, and printmaking.

Lynch syndrome support group launching

A support group for people diagnosed with Lynch syndrome and their families will hold its meeting this week.

The group will meet from 4:30-6 p.m. on Tuesday once every quarter in the CHI Memorial's Rees Skillern Cancer Institute's Cancer Risk and Survivorship Center, 721 Glenwood Drive, Suite 307.

Catherine Marcum, an advanced practice nurse with training in clinical cancer genetics through the City of Hope, will facilitate the meeting. Rhonda Edwards, a licensed clinical social worker, also will hold an open forum during the meeting.

Lynch syndrome is an inherited disorder that increases the risk for colorectal, endometrial and many other types of cancer.

There is no charge to attend. To RSVP or for information on cancer risk counseling, call 423-495-4363.

Local restaurant donates $40,000 to Believe Campaign

Chattanooga-based Steak 'n Shake franchise Debo's Diners has donated more than $40,000 to the Believe Campaign benefiting Children's Hospital at Erlanger.

"We are committed to putting people before profit and improving the lives of our guests, associates, and the members of the communities we serve, and decided the Believe campaign was the perfect fit for us to give back," said Mike Richman, vice president of Debo's Diners.

Richman said the restaurant will donate a portion of sales on Tuesdays to the Believe campaign.

In a statement, Erlanger Health System Foundations president Julie Taylor said Steak 'n Shake has been "an incredible stakeholder in the Believe Campaign and we are extremely proud of our partnership. They are a business that obviously puts people first and in this case it's our community's children."

Participating Steak'n'Shake locations include Hixson, Gunbarrel Road, Dalton and Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, and Cleveland, Tennessee.

The new Children's Hospital is scheduled to open in December.

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