Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital physicians donate to Cancer Coalition of South Georgia

ALBANY — Physicians with Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital celebrated Doctor’s Day, which is Monday, a little early, presenting a gift of $5,000 to the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia.

The donation was presented to the staff at the coalition this week to help provide outreach to the patients served at Phoebe Cancer Center outside of its physician’s offices.

First observed in 1933, Doctor’s Day was established to celebrate the contribution physicians make to their communities. Donating the bonuses that Phoebe gives medical staff for Doctor’s Day has been a tradition at the Albany hospital since it was first suggested by the late Dr. Hasan Rizvi, who was chief of the medical staff at the time.

The Cancer Coalition was suggested as this year’s recipient by, among others, Dr. Chirag Jani, an oncologist. It also was a of others in the medical community because of its role in providing screenings to the underprivileged as well as its promotion of prevention efforts.

“They do such good work (in Southwest Georgia),” said Dr. Edward Vance, medical staff president at Phoebe. “I personally refer patients to them often.

“(With many other organizations), their funds are used nationwide, but their (the coalition’s) funds are used here locally in Southwest Georgia. … All the doctors on the medical staff feel wonderful to be able to donate to a charity (that is regional).”

As an oncologist, Jani said he felt that a donation to the Cancer Coalition would have value to those in his patient base in terms of screening and treatment.

“I’m a big believer in prevention and educating folks about prevention,” he said. “I’d rather have them educated on these issues.”

Cancer Coalition CEO Diane Fletcher said the organization was grateful for the funding given by a group the coalition has a close working relationship with. The $5,000 would likely be used for program costs, she said.

“To me, it is a vote of confidence in the quality of our work,” she said.

The donation also has special meaning in that was given in memory of Rizvi, who was killed Aug. 21 when his Porsche Carrera left the road and crashed into a pine tree.

“It makes it bittersweet, but I believe he would smile and be pleased,” Fletcher said. “We will honor (the memory of Rizvi) by using it to serve patients here.

“A lot of our work focuses on prevention; if it’s going to be found, it’s going to be found early. The benefit goes beyond actual dollars … and the work helps to save health care costs in the region. It (creates) a healthier community for all of us.”