LBJ Hospital Nationally Recognized for Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Prevention

Harris Health System’s Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital is building an award-winning platform for colorectal cancer awareness outreach and prevention in northeast Houston. The hospital’s gastrointestinal (GI) team recently became two-time winners of the American College of Gastroenterology’s SCOPY Award for “Best Community Awareness Initiatives by a Hospital.”

“SCOPY” stands for Service Award for Colorectal Cancer Outreach, Prevention & Year-Round Excellence. The college recently saluted LBJ Hospital’s entry for “Go Blue and Get Your Screen On,” a Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign that educated patients, employees and community partners about best practices for healthy eating, cancer prevention and early detection.

Derek L. Curtis, chief nursing officer, LBJ Hospital, says it’s inspiring to see how clinical staff has embraced the challenge to serve the needs of their patient population.

“It’s great to see front-line staff involved in giving back to the community,” he says. “It’s always our desire to deliver positive, healthy outcomes for our patients. I’m so proud that our team regularly explores new, innovative solutions for patient education and care.”

Information booths at LBJ Hospital and local places of worship featured informational signage and brochures, a 3-D inflatable colon and poop emoji costumes. The campaign was conducted in March before COVID-19 restrictions.

“Our commitment to educating others during such uncertain times speaks to how much the GI Lab is devoted to our community and their health,” says Tresaka Fields, program manager, Perioperative Services, LBJ Hospital.

The hospital’s work in colon health education was also recognized by the college in 2019. Harris Health’s Community Hub initiative has empowered its hospitals, health centers and clinics to discover innovative ways to eliminate the social barriers that keep Harris County residents from having a heathy life. LBJ Hospital’s award-wining 2019 campaign sought to bring colon health education to nontraditional places like local barbershops.

“The barbershops were so much fun,” says Kathy Fisher, director of Nursing, Perioperative Services, LBJ Hospital. “One of the guys humorously confessed to having a colonoscopy. That helped break the ice, remove the stigma and convince others to make their health a priority.”