2013 Mid-Columbia STEM Catalyst Award Winner

This past Monday the the Tri-Cities Cancer Center was recognized as the 2013 Mid-Columbia STEM Catalyst Award winner. We are deeply honored by this recognition. We have had the pleasure and privilege to host four Delta High School interns this year. A young man named Isaac spent a trimester working with our physicist (visit the following to read a blog about his experience: http://tccancer.blogspot.com/). Two students, Cecily (more about Cecily below) and Ignacio have interned in our clinic working with our radiation oncologist, dosimetrists, radiation therapists and nurses. Our fourth intern, Jasmin, has spent the entire year with us. She has worked with our business office, marketing & public relations department and with our Foundation working on event planning and fundraising.

All of our Delta interns have been incredibly talented and deeply committed to their internship positions and personal development. In fact, just this past Friday, Jasmin created an event called, Paintings for Patients, as her senior project. She solicited donated works of art and photography for local artists, planned, promoted and hosted a silent auction, which was open to the public, and raised $2145 to provide non-reimbursed services to local cancer patients and their families. Amazing success!

Cecily also chose the Tri-Cities Cancer Center, and our community, as the beneficiary of her culminating senior project. Next Friday, April 5th, she has put together public educational presentation call Cancer Nutrition Information. She is working with Dietitian Gretchen Millard who will be presenting the necessity of good nutrition during cancer treatment, how to make and keep a nutritional plan, and the role of diet as it relates to cancer risk. Tasty samples of nutritional recipes will be provided to attendees along with additional nutritional information. This presentation is open to the public. View our Calendar of Events to RSVP online: www.tccancer.org. We are so proud of all of our interns!

Many positions within our organization require national recruiting from a limited pool of qualified individuals. STEM education is helping to provide for our future. Not only are STEM studies fundamental to a career in radiation oncology, the exposure afforded our industry through internship programs is paramount. It isn’t just the students who benefit from the internship. They share their experiences with their peer group as well as their family – enlightening friends, siblings and others to career options that they may not otherwise considered. Truly a winning combination for all involved.

We are grateful to have an opportunity to partner with Delta High School and again, very honored to be recognized in this fashion. However, it is the educators, administrators, supporters and students of STEM education that need to be recognized. They are the true catalyst for change, helping to fuel our industry along with so many others. As it relates to our industry, their efforts are sure to positively affect the quality of cancer care for future generations.