Presidents Message
Spring is upon us, they tell us, as well as the 2018 registry changes which seem to be continually evolving. We anticipate, we acknowledge, we prepare, and we conquer: the life of a Cancer Registrar. I try to stay focused on the goal of improving cancer care for every individual. That’s what we do, isn’t it? We all have been affected some way or another by cancer. I have had fourteen people in my family affected, with two of my loved ones passing this year, as did our Cancer Services Director in 2017.
So when someone asks me, “How do you handle working with cancer every day?” I think to myself, aren’t we all dealing with a loved one or know a family dealing with cancer? I want to make a difference and I believe we do as Registrars. Just in the 20 years I have been in this field, as well as the 10 years prior in the field of Pathology, I have seen the improvements in cancer diagnoses, treatments and outcomes and it is truly remarkable as well as hopeful and exciting! Let’s continue to evolve and make the changes necessary for the researchers using our data and for the administrators making health care decisions.
That being said, I ask us as Registrars to be there for one another and acknowledge and validate each other’s frustrations with all the changes we face which are sometimes not always heard or understood. We all seem to be working with fewer FTEs, budget cuts, management changes, mentoring and training new CTRs, retirements, time management, being behind, etc. Even with all of this, I challenge you to rally, be the organized, versatile and resilient Registrars you were trained to be, and lift each other up in this ever-changing field of Cancer Registry. We can make a difference!
“Every day holds the potential of a miracle.”
I also want to mention OCRA is officially a 501(c ) (3) exempt organization and classified as a public charity allowing donors to deduct contributions to us and also qualify us to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under this status. This was accomplished from the due diligence of Vicki Shindler and your 2017 OCRA Executive team and I thank them for this achievement for our organization.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the great Fall Workshop being planned in Eugene this year. Thank you Education Committee.
I would also love to hear from those of you attending NCRA in New Orleans. Let me know if you are attending so we can get together for a picture and possibly lunch.
We have a great Executive team this year; please feel free to contact any of us at any time. Thank you Laura Wallace and to the contributors for this excellent newsletter. Enjoy.
Jennifer Johnson, CTR
OCRA 2018 President