Creating a Massachusetts Model of National Leadership in Prostate Cancer Awareness and Advocacy
Organized by AdMeTech in collaboration with Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Coalition, Men of Color Health Awareness, and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
AdMeTech Foundation brought together key Massachusetts leaders, including Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler, Senator William Brownsberger, Boston Celtics icon Cedric Maxwell, Boston Marathon legend and prostate cancer survivor Bill Rodgers, New England Area Conference of the NAACP President Juan Cofield, and others to lead the nation in recognizing prostate cancer as a public health priority and a major health care disparity.
Facilitated by Health Policy Commission Advisory Council member and former Department of Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett and WCVB-TV’s Director of Public Affairs and “CityLine” Host Karen Holmes Ward, the program also featured other key leaders of the Massachusetts state legislation, Boston Mayor’s Office, Health and Human Services and City Council, and advocacy, medicine and industrial innovations in diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Adam Feldman, a prostate cancer specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a member of the Men’s Health Committee of the Massachusetts Medical Society, held complimentary “office hours” at the event, providing free counseling on screening, diagnosis, and treatment to men and their families. Since the event had an extensive participation from the African American community, including the under-privileged communities, it symbolized the goal of the AdMeTech-advocated state program in education and awareness – to bring the world-class expertise to every man.
Governor Baker declared this event as “Massachusetts Prostate Cancer Awareness Day.” To express their support for prostate cancer awareness, ten Massachusetts legislative leaders appeared together in the bi-partisan “We All Agree 2015,” one of several videos produced by AdMeTech Foundation. Additionally, Red Sox owner Larry Lucchino, who is prostate cancer survivor, participated by a video highlighting the importance of early detection.
In recognition of AdMeTech’s leadership in making Massachusetts a model of national leadership in prostate cancer awareness, education, research and patient care, President and CEO Dr. Faina Shtern was presented with a number of commendations, including a Governor’s Proclamation, the Massachusetts General Court Resolution, Mayoral Proclamation and City Council Resolution.
The event has been covered extensively by the major media orgnizations, including the Multicultural Television Network, MassLive, Univision, and Commonwealth Magazine. The highlights from the event and videos were shared all week across all social media platforms, reaching over 125,000 people.
This event has been instrumental in the creation of the world-leading state program in research to improve early detection in FY 2014 ($1.5M) and a state-wide campaign in education and awareness in FY 2015 ($500,000).
From left: Senate President Stanley Rosenberg; Juan Cofield, New England Area Conference of the NAACP President; Adam Feldman, MD, MPH, Department of Urology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Assistant Professor of Surgery, MA Medical School, and member, Men’s Health Committee, MA Medical Society; Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler; Senator William Brownsberger, Chair, Joint Committee on the Judiciary; Cheryl Bartlett, RN, Member, Health Policy Commission Advisory Council and former Commissioner, Department of Public Health; Karen Holmes Ward, WCVB-TV Director of Public Affairs and “CityLine” Host; Faina Shtern, MD, President and CEO, AdMeTech Foundation; Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker; Cedric Maxwell, Boston Celtics icon; and Bill Rodgers, Boston Marathon Legend