HSCommunity is a newsletter from the Health Sciences Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Subcommittee on Communications.
April 2022: Finding a Mountain of Hope for Patients with Cancer-related Oral Health Needs
In January 2021, Dr. Jeffson Chung, an assistant professor with the WVU Department of Otolaryngology, reached out to Mountains of Hope, the West Virginia Cancer Coalition, with a request:
“I have a 17-year-old patient with a devastating new diagnosis of oral cancer. Treatment will unfortunately require the removal of her teeth. While I would like to treat her cancer AND restore her teeth, her insurance does not cover dental restoration. If I can find her resources, I can start restorative procedures as I am removing her cancer. Can you help me?”
Coalition members from WVU Cancer Institute's Cancer Prevention and Control team were quick to move on the request, calling on the help of state, national and private partners — all to no avail. Fast-forward one year, and this simple request served as the inspiration for WV Senate Bill 559, The Oral Health and Cancer Rights Act.
Most West Virginians rely on insurance to cover the costs of medical procedures. Higher co-pays, travel and other structural barriers significantly affect people who live in rural areas, people who have a low income, people of color, sexual and gender minorities and people living with disabilities. Thus, Mountains of Hope formed the Cancer-Related Oral Health Workgroup to:
- include oral health and dental providers as part of the cancer care team, and
- write a policy requiring insurance coverage for any cancer-related services needed.
The Medical Team: Workgroup members from both the WVU School of Dentistry and WVU Cancer Institute developed a system for referring patients to a weekly clinic addressing the oral health needs of cancer patients. The clinic began seeing patients in January 2022.
The Advocacy Team: The Workgroup also developed the Oral Health and Cancer Rights Act, a policy solution to decrease structural barriers to oral healthcare for cancer patients. This policy addresses insurance coverage for the oral health or rehabilitative services needed to obtain cancer treatment, or to restore whole or partial functioning associated with eating, breathing, voice, speech and swallowing when related to a cancer diagnosis. Once developed, Cancer-Related Oral Health Workgroup members presented the policy to the WV Oral Health Coalition, who in turn contacted the WV Legislature to gauge interest. Senate majority leader Tom Takubo sponsored the bill along with Senators Stollings, Woelfel, Caputo, Baldwin and Lindsay. A resolution for a year of study for Senate Bill 559 passed without amendment through the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee on March 3, but the legislative session ended before the resolution could be passed by the House and died in committee. Support for the bill is already established for the 2023 legislative session.
Policy solutions to increase health equity are important and SB 559 poses a single step closer to a more equitable future. As Chung stated, “I thought finding help for my patients was without hope. Little did I know that, here in West Virginia, I would find mountains of it.”
To learn more about this project, please contact Shelly Dusic at cpc@hsc.wvu.edu.
To refer a cancer patient to the dental cancer clinic, providers must complete the oral care services for cancer patient referral form, found on the WVU Medicine Connect Portal, and email it to sodreferrals@hsc.wvu.edu.
/ ENGAGE
As we are soon to finish another semester, WVU Health Sciences is taking stock of our efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion. Importantly, we want to be sure we are creating an inclusive environment for doing this work where all of those interested feel welcome to participate.
We know that you all have various responsibilities and time constraints, and so we want to offer the chance for you to express your interest in participation in Health Sciences DEI efforts to the degree that is workable for you. We would also love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
If you have an interest and would like to be more involved, please respond by 5:00 p.m. Monday, April 25.
/ News
Grant opportunities available through Women of WVU Enrichment Fund
The Women of WVU Enrichment Fund provides one year student project grants up to $2,500 and one to three year program grants up to $5,000 for educational activities, networking opportunities and philanthropy. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 22, 2022.
Mi Gente student organization seeking advisors
Mi Gente, a community for Latinos, Latinas, Latinx and anyone interested in the diverse cultures within it, is seeking new advisors. Faculty and staff interested should complete the interest form by April 13.
Supporting women leaders through inspiration, connections
A decade after its inception, the Women’s Leadership Initiative, led by School of Public Health Director of Strategic Initiatives Constinia Charbonnette, continues to be a unique, necessary and enriching program at WVU.
Podcast features academic equity and diversity advocate
In the latest episode of the Women in Science & Medicine podcast, Mallory Weaver talks with Nicquet Blake, vice provost of student academic affairs and dean of the Graduate Division at the University of California-San Francisco.
Women in dentistry: A glance back and look forward
This year's Women’s History Month theme is Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope. On this occasion, the WVU School of Dentistry is celebrating women and their contributions to the healing art and science of dentistry.
Festival in a Basket volunteers prep gifts for Ramadan
Through the Festival in a Basket initiative, volunteers comprised of local members of the Muslim community put together holiday gift baskets to give to families in Morgantown and the surrounding areas to celebrate special occasions.
Alumnus returns to discuss inclusivity, leadership
Brian Lawson (PharmD, ’08) recently returned to the WVU School of Pharmacy to serve as the Lois A. Luzzi Lectureship keynote speaker, focusing on cultivating an inclusive culture through courageous leadership.
Addressing racism in nursing
A three-time WVU School of Nursing graduate along with a nursing faculty member recently participated in a West Virginia Nurses Association panel focused on strategies to be an antiracist in nursing.
Egyptian delegates visit to discuss collaboration opportunities
WVU recently welcomed two high-ranking officers of the Egyptian government to campus. During their visit, the delegates expressed interest in multiple collaboration opportunities with WVU Health Sciences.