Health City Cayman Islands hosts first wellness retreat for cancer survivors | News
Nurse Abigail Ciampa (center) with Health City team members (l-r) Kiffra Codner, Rebekah Anne Brooks, Emilie Edgington and Rebecca Walcott-Romany
Health City Cayman Islands welcomed survivors for a day of healing and hope when it launched its first Cancer Survivors Wellness Retreat last month, featuring a leading expert from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Through its corporate social responsibility initiative, Health City Cares, the hospital hosted the full-day program at VIDA Cayman Islands in West Bay, creating a supportive oceanfront environment for cancer survivors to focus on wellness, connection and life beyond treatment.
Guest speaker Abigail Ciampa, a nurse with Dana-Farber’s Adult Survivorship Program Care Team in Boston, presented “Living Beyond a Cancer Diagnosis: Understanding Survival.” The session was specifically tailored for survivors and caregivers. The night before, Ciampa gave a more clinically focused version of the presentation at a continuing medical education session for nurses at Health City.
“Cancer treatment or a diagnosis is a journey, and… you need people who will be with you, even long after you’ve finished your treatment,” says Dr. Vineetha Binoy, Senior Medical Oncology Specialist at Health City Cayman Islands. “That is what we want to offer.”
Brooklyn Montgomery, a breast cancer survivor who attended the retreat, said Health City was central to her care journey. “I’m here after healing from stage two breast cancer,” she said. “Health City was my favorite thing to do. All the doctors were great, so I thought I should follow suit and come see what they have to offer here.”
The program included gentle movement and mindfulness, survival education, nutritious food, a relaxing sound bath and reflective stations. Organizers highlighted the strong community presence with participation from key partners and Health City’s own clinical team.
“I really want people to know there is a community out there for them,” said Rebekah Brooks, Health City’s chief marketing and sales officer. “It’s not just Health City – we’ve had the Breast Cancer Foundation here today, the Cancer Society members have been here today, our nurses. We’re all here for our patients. I just want them to go home feeling really special and [know] that they are really loved.”
The retreat directly supports Health City Cares’ mission, which focuses on expanding care beyond the hospital through wellness initiatives, education and community partnerships that help patients and families thrive long after treatment.
With more than 75 percent of U.S. cancer survivors over age 60 and more than half over age 70, such a targeted wellness program is increasingly important, organizers noted.
Health City Cayman Islands said it plans to offer additional survivor-focused wellness events in the future.
