Page 12 - Mecklenburg_Medicine_January-2020

At the Hospitals
n Levine Cancer Institute Achieves
ESMO Designation
Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute is now
one of just five cancer institutes in the country
to be recognized by the European Society of
Medical Oncology (ESMO) as a Designated
Center of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care
for 2020-2022. The ESMO Designated Centres
of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care
accreditation program was initiated in 2003 to
acknowledge select cancer centers for achieving a
high standard of integration of medical oncology
and palliative care.
ESMO, the leading professional organization
for medical oncology, is committed to offering the
best care to people with cancer through fostering
integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in
their professional development and advocating
for sustainable cancer care worldwide.
“This international honor results from the
culmination of many years of integrating
supportive oncology therapies and programs
into the fabric of Levine Cancer Institute’s
comprehensive care for oncology patients,” says
Derek Raghavan, MD, PhD, FACP FRACP
FASCO, president of Levine Cancer Institute.
“It is a reflection of the continuous support and
backing we have received for such work from
leaders across Atrium Health, as well as the
community at large, and we are privileged to
be recognized for providing this unique level of
service to all the patients we serve each day.”
In 2010, Atrium Health embarked on a plan
to remove obstacles to care by partnering with
Dr.DeclanWalsh (right) accepts the ESMO designation on behalf
of Levine Cancer Institute.
12 | January 2020 • Mecklenburg Medicine
its network of more than 30 affiliated hospitals responsible for the corporate strategic planning
to recruit nationally prominent medical teams process, which resulted in a new mission, vision
and share expertise in cancer care. That program and corporate strategy.
evolved to become Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer
Institute and has become one of the largest cancer “My lifelong professional pursuit has been to
programs in the nation, serving more than 17,000 help radically improve the field of health care,”
new patients each year. Today, with more than 25 says Peterson. “I am looking forward to working
locations and more than 200 oncologists, Levine side-by-side with my new teammates as we
Cancer Institute provides integrated oncology and advance Atrium Health’s incredible mission and
palliative care services to its patients, with 15 new vision into the future.”
patients seeking this type of care each week.
Peterson earned a master’s degree in business
At Levine Cancer Institute’s Supportive administration, as well as in health administration,
Oncology clinics, caring for the whole patient from the University of Pittsburgh. Her bachelor’s
— and their families — includes helping them degree in business administration was earned
deal with stress, manage side effects, choose the from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.
right foods and sleep better. By offering palliative
medicine, nutritional counseling, integrative n Levine Cancer Institute Hosts Sickle
modalities (such as acupuncture, massage and Cell Conference
Reiki therapies), and art and music classes, the Ifeyinwa (Ify) Osunkwo, MD, MPH,
team helps improve and speed healing from
diagnosis through survivorship. (left) head of the Levine Cancer Institute
(LCI) comprehensive sickle cell program,
n Atrium Health Welcomes New Senior welcomes Wayne Frederick, MD, president
of Howard University. Dr. Frederick was the
Vice President, Enterprise Strategy keynote speaker at the recent LCI/Atrium
Health 5th Annual Sickle Cell Provider
and Planning Symposium. Under Dr. Osunkwo’s direction,
Levine Cancer Institute offers a holistic,
Atrium Health is pleased to announce Chandra comprehensive sickle cell disease clinic that
connects patients with medical providers,
Peterson as its new senior vice president of a psychotherapist, a social worker, a case
manager and dedicated nurses who can assist
Enterprise Strategy and Planning. with all aspects of life with the disease.
Peterson began her position in n New Exclusive Maternity Entrance
at Atrium Health’s Carolinas
October, reporting directly to Medical Center
Atrium Health’s Carolinas Medical Center
Rasu Shrestha, Atrium Health’s
has enhanced its experience for women with
executive vice president and chief a new express maternity entrance. In addition
to the expert care pregnant patients and their
strategy officer. families receive, there is an exclusive, calming
environment when patients arrive at the hospital
Chandra Peterson In this new position, Peterson for delivery. The dedicated entrance is located
just to the left of the main entrance at Carolinas
collaborates with clinical and business leaders Medical Center.
across Atrium Health to develop and implement
new strategies designed to deliver greater value
and provide a more consumer-friendly experience
for patients.
“Chandra is known throughout the healthcare
field as a visionary, outcomes-focused executive
with proven success in transforming and leading
organizations to new levels of differentiation,
growth and performance,” says Shrestha. “As we
continue to co-create the future of health care,
Chandra’s visionary leadership will help guide
Atrium Health to newer heights as we cultivate
new ways to better serve and care for our patients
and communities.”
Most recently, Peterson served as vice
president of strategic planning and architecture
for Highmark Health, an $18-billion national
health and wellness organization and integrated
delivery and financing system based out of
Pittsburgh, Penn. At Highmark Health, she was