Recent Advances in Radiation Therapy

Speaker: Glenn Tonnesen, M.D. Dr. Tonnesen currently practices at the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA -

Dr. Tonnesen came to Inova Fairfax Hospital in 1982, and from 1992 to 2005 served as the Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Tonnesen previously served as the Chief of Radiation Oncology at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Associate Director of Training in Radiation Oncology at the National Cancer Institute. His residency was at the Harvard Joint Center for Radiation Therapy, where was chief resident and later a member of the Harvard faculty. His medical training was at the University of Utah, where he graduated with honors and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He served a medical internship at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, followed by two years as a medical officer in the United States Navy. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, with Honors, at Brown University.

In this session Dr. Tonnesen will:

1. Briefly describe the role of radiation therapy within a cancer treatment plan
2. Explained why radiation therapy works
3. Explained what new types of radiation therapy exist and their key differences, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery.
4. Describe what patients and advocates should ask and know about their radiation therapy choices.

CLICK to link to the Members Only Podcast page to play

Introduction to Mind-Body Medicine

Speaker: Cherie Snyder, Chair of the Integrative Health Team and faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. -

Cherie Snyder serves as Chair of the Integrative Health Team, an interdisciplinary group of science, allied health, humanities, human services and physical education faculty. Under her direction, the Integrative Health team has spearheaded the development of a national model for allied health education based on whole person, integrative healthcare. Professor Snyder is also a faculty member of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. A recipient of numerous awards including Outstanding Faculty Member and the Distinguished Faculty Award for Social Sciences (1998), Ms. Snyder is committed to building a deep sense of community where peace, social justice and healing are powerful forces for change.

During this session, Professor Snyder addressed the following topics:

1. What is Mind/Body Medicine and how is it different from traditional medicine?
2. What is happening in health care today that makes Mind/Body medicine so important?
3. What are some of the Mind/Body approaches that are being used effectively with client/patients?
4. Where can health professionals learn more about these approaches?

Additional Resources:

• The Center for Mind-Body Medicine, Washington, D.C

CLICK to link to the Members Only Podcast page to play

Adult Protective Services-When to seek help

Speaker: Becky Strickland, Program Supervisor at Senior & Disabled Services -

Becky Strickland is a Program Supervisor at Senior & Disabled Services in Lane County. Her job responsibilities include supervising the Adult Protective Services Unit (adult abuse prevention and investigation) and the Licensing and Monitoring Unit (adult foster home program). Marie Cervantes is the Director of the Office of Adult Abuse Prevention & Investigations for the Oregon Department of Human Services.

During this session our speakers addressed the following topics:

National Perspective on Abuse & Neglect of Vulnerable Adults

Older Adult Population (Boomers)

• Incidence & Prevalence
• Oregon's Experience

Types, signs & symptoms of abuse & neglect

• Self-Neglect
• Reporting abuse & neglect

Additional Resources

• Elder Abuse Prevention: A Collaborative Effort
• Indicators of Abuse
• Abuse Rules

CLICK to link to the Members Only Podcast page to play

Traumatic Brain Injury: Beyond the Headlines of this Silent Epidemic

Speaker: Ms. Madelaine Sayko - 

Madelaine Sayko is a brain injury advocate and educator, working in a wide range of capacities. She has made major contributions to several books on the subject of brain injury, including Pennsylvania's Acquired Brain Injury Network Peer-to-Peer training manual. Ms. Sayko served on the Pennsylvania Governor's brain injury task force as Chair of the Committee for Collaboration of Services and as a representative on the Stakeholders Committee. She conducts many public outreach activities on the subject of brain injury. She currently writing a book about the challenges and insights gained through life - changing events and pursuing a graduate degree.

In this session, we discuss the definitions, causes, incidences of brain injury, with a particular focus on the elderly. Treatment options and research are presented as well as tips for advocates to help their clients work with a medical team when brain injury should be considered as a diagnosis.

Additional Resources
A variety of assessment/screening tools including the ones used by the Military. Shows state and agency recommendations. A more detailed document for assessments from the VA (refers to deployment but has relevant questions)

Also used for the military is the WARCAT, a self administered tool - it talks about deployment and bullets but has questions that are applicable. Other instruments might include the Functional Assessment Questionnaire or the Blessed Dementia Scale - though both of these are used for Alzheimer screening they can be used in conjunction with HELPs or other screening tools. Additionally the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly is a screening tool for cognitive change.

Two research papers on Elderly and TBI outcomes:

• The Effect of Age on Functional Outcome in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: 6-Month Report of a Prospective Multicenter Trial
• Cognitive and Behavioral Sequelae of Closed Head Injury in Older Adults According to Their Significant Other

CLICK to link to the Members Only Podcast page to play

The Client Relationship: Establishing Roles and Maintaining Boundaries

Speaker: Ms. Deborah Hanish-Schreyer, LMSW - 

Deborah has been working in the field of eldercare as a Licensed Master Social Worker since 1980. Much of this time has been spent developing and overseeing community based health care programs and services for older adults and their caregivers. She has had a private practice in Geriatric Care Management since 2003. Over the years, she has had the privilege of working with hundreds of older adults and their families. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

During this session, Deborah addressed the following topics:

• Evaluating our own capacity to work with client suffering and challenging personalities
• Establishing client boundaries
• Identifying red flags when the boundaries are no longer clear
• Tips for getting the client relationship back in balance
• Creating our own support system

CLICK to link to the Members Only Podcast page to play