Licking Memorial Health Systems (LMHS) recently received two American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) SCOPY Awards – Best Coordinated Community Campaign and the SCOPY Healthy Living Award.  The winning submissions were selected based on originality and creativity, impact, and overall enthusiasm.  

The ACG introduced SCOPY (Service Award for Colorectal Cancer Outreach, Prevention & Year-Round Excellence) in 2015 as an annual recognition of the most innovative and impactful colorectal awareness efforts.  The SCOPY recognizes the achievements of its members in their community engagement, education and awareness efforts for colorectal cancer prevention.  

LMHS coordinated a widespread initiative to increase colorectal cancer awareness within the Licking County community.  The comprehensive campaign, titled “Don’t Delay!  Contact Your Physician for a Colon Cancer Screening,” incorporated a broad range of marketing and publicity avenues utilized to reach the public and provide education on this significant health issue.  

The extensive campaign included billboards, radio and print advertising, posters, magazine articles, and more.  The LMHS Facebook page featured weekly informative posts on colon cancer, including colon cancer facts, screening information, celebrity videos, and high-fiber recipes.  Additional posts featured photos of staff wearing blue in support of colon cancer awareness as well as “Don’t Delay!” campaign T-shirts.  

During the month of March, LMHS President & CEO Rob Montagnese and Frances Horenstein, M.D., of Licking Memorial Gastroenterology, appeared on the NBC4 midday lifestyle show, Daytime Columbus, to raise awareness about colon cancer and discuss LMHS’ efforts to educate and assist the community with regard to this disease.  In addition, scrub caps were printed with the LMHS campaign message, “Don’t Delay” and worn by surgical staff.  “Don’t Delay!” campaign T-shirts were provided to the Family Practice and Gastroenterology offices and worn every Friday throughout the month.  

Additionally, Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Culinary Services partnered with Licking Memorial Gastroenterology to offer high-fiber options in the LMH Café for a week.  Two recipe items were offered each day.  Dr. Horenstein, Gastroenterology clinical staff and Culinary Services staff were available at the end of the week to offer sample items and answer questions.  Recipe cards for each item were available in the Café and posted on the Facebook page.  At the March Walk with a Doc, local residents participated in an informative discussion by Dr. Horenstein on the benefits of a high-fiber diet.

This year’s winners were honored during the SCOPY Award Ceremony & Workshop at the 2018 ACG Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in October.  Licking Memorial Gastroenterology Physician Center Manager Darlene Thompson, Dr. Horenstein, and Candy Thorpe, APRN-CNP, accepted the award on behalf of LMHS.