We are trying to improve lives and restore function for cancer survivors in our community. We are trying to bring the STAR Program from Oncology Rehab
Partners to our community in Anne Arundel County, MD. Oncology Rehab Partners is the industry's first organization to provide hospitals and cancer centers with the tools needed to develop and deliver quality rehabilitation services to cancer survivors who
suffer from debilitating side-effects caused by treatments.
STAR ProgramĀ® Certification (Survivorship Training and Rehab) provides facilities and individual clinicians with tools and systematic, proven programs to
deliver excellent oncology rehabilitation care. We are creating the future by sending 2 physical therapists through the certification program. After certification, they will start the first Oncology Rehab Program in our community. This is more than just
another program for a PT clinic - it is a movement in health care to fill a gap in care for cancer survivors to overcome treatment side-effects and take back their lives.
Our practice is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland which has one of the highest cancer rates in the state (Maryland also ranks high in cancer
rates among states).
Seven years ago, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. During this time, she has undergone surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation (brain), hormone therapy, and several other treatments. While the medical community has been very focused
on treating her cancer, they have ignored the debilitating physical side-effects of the treatment - including severe weakness, impaired balance, decreased bone density, impaired cardiopulmonary function, and fatigue.
Last year, one of our physical therapists, Kara, was also diagnosed with breast cancer. I'm happy to say that with surgery and aggressive chemotherapy, she has recovered and recently returned to work. Although she is able to work now, she still has weakness
and significant fatigue after activity. Kara & I will be the therapists participating in this training & we are passionate about starting our new
oncology rehab program.
Once our program is running in our facility, we will look for ways to expand our ability to help more cancer survivors - options include creating a separate company focused on oncology rehab in Maryland and/or creating a non-profit organization with the same
focus.
Thanks for your support,
Bud Ward, MPT, CSCS
Physical Therapist