MEETING MINUTES

March 18, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Courtyard by Marriott, Albuquerque, NM

In Attendance:

Sandra ArellanoLovelace Women’s Hospital

Mikki AronoffThe Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Susan BaumNMDOH Chronic Disease Prevention & Control Bureau

James BreedonProfessional Oncology-ER Nurse Consultants, Inc.

Christine BrownNMDOH Comprehensive Cancer Program

Libby BruggemanNMDOH Cancer Prevention & Control Section

Beth CarlozziChristus/St. Vincent Regional Medical Center

Dorine ConleyNMDOH Comprehensive Cancer Program

ReNae DeanProfessional Oncology-ER Nurse Consultants, Inc.

Larry ElmoreNMDOH Tobacco Use Prevention and Control

Carolyn FinsterRamahNavajoSchool Board/PineHillHealthCenter

Dava GerardPresbyterianKasemanHospital

Eileen GoodeNM Primary Care Association

Rachel GrantNM Oncology Hematology Consultants

Amy GundelachAlbuquerque Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society

Rich HoffmanAlbuquerqueVAMedicalCenter

Wynona HoltonIndividual

Blaire LarsonCancer Services of New Mexico

Candice LichtenfelsUNMCancerCenter

Gena LoveNMDOH Cancer Prevention and Control Section

Christopher LuceroNMDOH Breast & Cervical Cancer Program

Bernadette LujanPeople Living Through Cancer

Robert MallinIndividual

Jahaan MartinSt. Joseph Community Health/Breast Cancer Resource Ctr.

Tom MimsNMDOH Comprehensive Cancer Program

Cathy MooreCasa Esperanza

Mary Ann Newman-BuckleyGilaRegionalMedicalCenter

Deborah OpendenIndividual

Beth PinkertonNMDOH Comprehensive Cancer Program

Frederick PintzNM Primary Care Association

Barbra PortzlineGenQuest, Inc.

Fran Robinson*San JuanRegionalCancerCenter

Melanie RoyceUNMCancerCenter

Connie SavaKirtland Air Force Base

Susan SimonsCentral NM Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Leslie Slow-GoldfinePeople Living Through Cancer

Teresa Stewart, ChairNM Cancer Care Alliance

Noell StoneUNMCancerCenter

Michele SuinaUNMHSCCenter for Native American Health

Susie TrujilloGilaRegionalMedicalCenter

Tresa VanWinkle*CAPPED

David VigilNMDOH Chronic Disease Prevention & Control Bureau

Hugo VilchisNMSU – BorderEpidemiologyCenter

David WendleGuest

* Meeting participation via conference call.

Welcome & IntroductionsTeresa Stewart

Terri Stewart welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the meeting today. Introductions were made by everyone present.

Follow up to November RetreatTeresa Stewart

Terri summarized the activities from the New Mexico Cancer Council Annual Retreat held in November, 2008. The retreat focused on two priority areas for the Council for 2009: colorectal cancer and survivorship. Currently, the Survivorship workgroup is developing a plan to implement patient follow-up care plans and treatment summaries. The Colorectal workgroup is focusing on a Colorectal White Paper that is being developed by UNM. Both groups have faced challenges in moving forward but progress is being made toward these objectives.

2009 Legislative UpdateTeresa Stewart

The 2009, 60-day legislative session ends at noon on Saturday, March 21. An attachment is provided that includes a list of cancer-related bills, a description of the intent of the legislation and current status of the bills. Additional information can be found on the ACS CAN website at the following address:

Legislative Pilot Project – Policy & Advocacy Workgroup Eileen Goode

Eileen Goode reviewed the legislative submission forms and submission process that the Policy & Advocacy workgroup piloted during this legislative session.

Action Items (Policy & Advocacy Workgroup):

  • Conduct a full evaluation of the project at the conclusion of the legislative session
  • Make any necessary changes or revisions to the forms and/or the process
  • Finalize the documents and the process before the beginning of the 2010 legislative session and distribute the information to the Council.

Document Review Teresa Stewart

The following documents were emailed to all Council members. Terri reviewed the purpose of each and discussed their impact on the Council.

  • NM Cancer Council Member Satisfaction Survey
  • Revised By-Laws
  • Comprehensive Cancer Control Policy & Practice Summit Symposium Report

Members were given an opportunity to discuss each document. No changes are necessary at this time.

Council Business/Updates Teresa Stewart

Terri reviewed the 2009 schedule of meetings for the Council and announced the open Executive Committee (EC) seat. Terri reviewed EC responsibilities and reminded members of the six scheduled EC meetings for 2009.

Action Items:

  • Council Members interested in serving on the Executive Committee may contact Paul Sanchez, Membership Workgroup Chair, (505) 235-3989 or .

Individuals were invited to join Council workgroups and a handout was provided listing the workgroups, their missions and contact information for each. A suggestion was made to create a workgroup to evaluate the NM Cancer Plan 2007-2011. However, that task falls under the responsibility of the EC who is currently evaluating the Plan.

Action Items (Dorine Conley)

  • Update the Workgroup handout to include new information for the Survivorship and Native American workgroups.
  • Email the Workgroup handout to all Council members.
  • Add an agenda item for the July Council meeting that addresses evaluation of the New Mexico Cancer Plan 2007-2011.

Council members brainstormed ways to evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of Council workgroups as well as identify when new workgroups may be appropriate.

Suggestions included:

  • Developing clear communications regarding the workgroups and their missions/responsibilities and distributing these documents to communities and partners
  • Supplying contact information for the workgroups on a more regular basis
  • Finding ways to communicate utilization of the NM Cancer Plan to small groups
  • Fostering relationships with rural communities through workgroup activities
  • Presenting information about the Council and Cancer Plan to the Health Councils

Workgroup Reports

  • Albuquerque Cancer Coalition– The 2009 directory is printed and available in English. Spanish versions will be printed within the next few weeks. To obtain copies, please contact Debbie Putt, NM Cancer Care Alliance, 505-272-7819.
  • Colorectal Cancer Workgroup –This is a Clinical Prevention Initiative group that provides professional education on the importance of CRC screening to primary care providers. The workgroup is in the process of seeking funding in order to move forward with the Colorectal White Paper.
  • Communication Workgroup – The communication workgroup has been inactive since all charter activities were completed in 2008. The Council discussed the overlap between the Communication and Membership workgroups. A decision was made to combine the responsibilities of these two workgroups in order to move forward with membership activities. The workgroup will utilize survey results from recent Council evaluations to guide future activities.
  • Data Workgroup – No report at this time.
  • Membership Workgroup – See Communication Workgroup.
  • Native American Workgroup – Michele Suina, Workgroup Chair, is ready to move forward. Michele is preparing an email to invite partners to join the workgroup. The first meeting for this group is targeted for late April or early May.
  • Policy & Advocacy Workgroup – The workgroup will meet again in April/May to review and evaluate the legislative submission forms pilot project.
  • Survivorship Workgroup –The workgroup met on February 13 to define its mission, elect a Chair and discuss activities related to the Council’s survivorship priority for 2009. Dava Gerard and Fran Robinson will co-chair the workgroup. The next meeting will be held on Friday, March 27 at the NM Cancer Center on LangNE. Everyone is invited to attend.

CDC Funded Colorectal Grant OpportunityBeth Pinkerton

The NM Department of Health is in the process of applying for funding for a Colorectal Cancer Screening program similar to the Breast & Cervical Early Detection Program. NMDOH has the following requirements already in place: Infrastructure through the BCC program, collaborations through the NM Cancer Council, Dr. Susan Baum to provide the clinical expertise and advocates to champion the need for such a program in New Mexico. Challenges to be overcome include developing partnerships with endoscopists, securing commitments to provide resources for treatment and addressing staffing issues considering the State’s current hiring freeze.

Action Items:

  • Terri Stewart will write a letter of support on behalf of the Council.

Member Announcements and Updates

Council members were given an opportunity to report on cancer control activities and upcoming cancer-related events. To view a list of calendar items and events, please visit the website at

Educational ComponentDolores E. Roybal, Con Alma HEALTH Foundation

Council members enjoyed a presentation entitled, “Grant Funding During Difficult Economic Times” delivered by Dolores E. Roybal, Con Alma HEALTH Foundation. Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and share information related to grant funding.

Adjournment Teresa Stewart

There being no further business, Terri adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

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