Tanner Board Members Participate in Mission: Possible

Educational program provides hands-on healthcare learning

In 2006, members of the board of directors for Tanner Medical Foundation and Tanner Medical Center began an in-depth educational program entitled Mission: Possible. Each board member participated on a study team focused on a specific area of healthcare provided by Tanner Health System.

The “Cardiology” team, led by Tanner Medical Foundation board member, Tom Richards, studied the importance of diet and diagnostic testing for heart health, with presentations by cardiologists and dieticians. The team members also participated in a cardiac disease study, personally experiencing the testing and follow-up care provided to cardiac patients at Tanner. Next, the team learned more about Tanner’s cardiac catheterization procedure and cardiac rehabilitation services during study sessions in 2007.

The “Cancer” team, led by Tanner Medical Foundation board member, Susan Fleck, participated in a tour of the new Tanner Breast Health center, which opened in April 2006. Presentations by a breast specialist, Dr. Raul Zunzunegui, focused on cancer prevention, with an emphasis on the importance of diet and fitness. The team members studied the symptoms of cancer and heard from patients who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. A study of prostate cancer and colon cancer, along with physician presentations on chemotherapy and radiation treatments, took place in 2007.

The “Horizon” team, led by Tanner Medical Foundation board member, Marilyn Hubbard, toured the new Tanner Breast Health facility and heard a presentation by Dr. Raul Zunzunegui, breast specialist. The team was also introduced to the services offered through the new Tanner Health Source facility at Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville.

The “Villa Rica/Bremen” team, led by Tanner Medical Foundation board member, Gelon Wasdin, heard a presentation on the growth in the Villa Rica and Bremen areas by representatives of Carroll Tomorrow and the administrator of Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica. The team also toured the new Tanner Health Source facility at Arbor Place Mall.

All four Mission Possible teams were invited to participate in an after-hours tour of the new integrated operating room at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton. One of the largest operating rooms in Georgia, the facility was updated in 2006 with state-of-the-art surgical equipment. During their hands-on tour and study of the OR, board members heard presentations by Tanner’s medical director of infection control, Laura Larson, MD, and director of surgical services, Gary Duke, RN.

Tours of the Intensive Care Unit at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton were offered to Mission: Possible teams during 2007. Board members gathered in an ICU patient room to hear from former ICU patients, physicians, nurses and other staff members about the 12-bed ICU opened in Carrollton in 2003. The state-of-the-art critical care facility served as the foundation of Tanner’s current cardiology services expansion, which includes the construction of Tanner Heart Center.

“Horizon” and “Villa Rica/Bremen” team members also learned about psychiatric care and the nationally-recognized programs provided through Tanner Behavioral Health. Board members participated in creative, expressive therapy techniques such as juggling and art therapy.