By Glenna Murdock, RN, contributor
Nov. 6, 2009 - Women need special care and attention when it comes to learning more about their own health, and when making medical choices for other family members. That’s why a number of organizations, including one affiliated with The Cleveland Clinic, concentrate their efforts on this important patient population.
“Women really are at the center of health within their families and in their communities,” said Holly Thacker, M.D., executive director of Speaking of Women’s Health (SWH), a non-profit organization based in Cleveland, Ohio. “Eighty percent of health care decisions are made by women. SWH aims to empower women, who usually tend to put themselves last, by providing current information from credible health experts in a fun and entertaining way, enabling them to better care for themselves and their families.”
Thacker is director of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at The Cleveland Clinic and a recognized leader in the field of women’s health. She has a special interest in menopause and related medical problems and is the author of a recently released book, Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause.
"Educating women to make informed decisions about health, well-being and personal safety for themselves and their families" is the Speaking of Women’s Health mission, and has been since the organization was launched in 1996. At that time, founder Dianne Dunkelman organized a one-day event in Cincinnati that focused on women’s health issues. As CEO of the foundation, she has guided its expansion over the years to include community outreach programs and fun-filled health conferences across the country.
Each year SWH considers how to reinvest funds that are donated to the foundation in ways that further its mission. Included in the 2009 reinvestment initiative is the awarding of two $5,000 scholarships to nurses who work to improve women’s health or empower women in some way.
“Nurses are on the frontlines when it comes to educating and inspiring women and we wanted to recognize the important work they do by creating scholarships for advanced study,” Thacker stated.
One of the new scholarship recipients is Vicki Rumpler, RN, BSN, BC, a nurse in the Cleveland Clinic department of colorectal surgery. The scholarship money will come in handy, as Rumpler is three classes and 300 clinical hours away from earning a master’s degree from the adult nurse practitioner program at Urseline College in Cleveland.
“Although I don’t work directly in women’s health, much of what I do does affect women’s health,” Rumpler said. “Education regarding colon cancer and safer sex practices for women of all ages are topics I cover regularly, along with pelvic floor issues, sexually transmitted diseases and body image issues associated with permanent ostomies. The best part of my job is building a relationship with the patient from the time of our first meeting, helping them deal with their challenges and seeing them thrive over time. As a nurse practitioner I’ll be able to assist my patients on an advanced level.”
The second nurse scholarship recipient will also use the SWH funds to further her education.
“I have a passion for promoting the professional growth of other nurses,” remarked Kiran Rai, RN, BSN, BS-HCA, a nurse manager of a medical unit at South Pointe Hospital, a part of the Cleveland Clinic system.
Rai, who emigrated from India in the early 1990s, was not always so confident of her abilities to influence others to achieve.
“I didn’t think of myself as a leader,” Rai explained. “I was timid and without the courage to inspire myself, let alone others. But, I looked to my mother as my source of inspiration. She placed great value on education and encouraged her children to strive for excellence.”
“Now, there is tremendous satisfaction in motivating my staff to improve their work and in guiding them to realize how much they can achieve,” she added.
Under Rai’s leadership, her unit as a whole has been recognized for excellence in teamwork, innovation and leadership. Since 2005, five of her staff nurses have won awards for excellence in clinical practice.
“I see myself as a highly motivated nurse advocate and I hope to make a difference throughout my career,” said Rai, who is working toward a master’s degree in nursing, specializing in nursing administration, at the University of Akron (Ohio).
Speaking of Women’s Health and the Center for Specialized Women’s Health, led by Thacker, are reaching out to women in unique ways. They partnered with the touring company of the stage production, “Menopause, The Musical,” during its Cleveland run. Thacker gave an introduction prior to the opening night performance and audience members received a copy of Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause.
“We have also established a phone center with nurse advocates available to answer questions and address concerns about women’s health,” Thacker explained. “The nurses take calls from around the world, even from men seeking information regarding the health of the women in their lives.” SWH also offers a quarterly newsletter that can be downloaded from their web site.
For more information, visit: Speaking of Women’s Health.
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