Written by: John DeRousie, Custom Marketing Solutions
FULTON, NY – Carolyn Handville, coordinator of Oswego County Opportunities Cancer Services Program Partnership was a recipient of the Oswego County Business Magazine’s Forty Under 40 award that showcases the next generation of Oswego County leaders.
Handville, who joined OCO in 2001 as a part-time medical secretary at the agency’s Oswego Health Center also worked in OCO’s Family Planning program and in 2007 became a health educator where she taught reproductive health in area schools.
In 2009, Handville was named coordinator of the Cancer Services Program and has been the driving force behind the program ever since.
Under Carolyn’s leadership OCO’s Cancer Services Program has provided hundreds of free cancer screenings for uninsured individuals throughout Oswego County.
Her efforts have greatly expanded the number of program partners as she has rallied health care providers, area businesses, and community leaders to assist her in her efforts.
Through outreach and presentations Handville has increased the community’s awareness of the importance of regular cancer screenings, especially for breast and colon cancer, and the fact that they are available free of charge through the Cancer Services Program.
As a result, the amount of cancers screenings provided by the program has more than doubled.
“Educating the community on the need for regular cancer screenings is always challenging. I enjoy being out in the community and am always open to doing a presentation for any group, business, or organization that it is interested,” said Handville.
One of the most visible community projects that Handville coordinated was the creation of a human pink ribbon to raise awareness of breast cancer.
For the past two years, the Cancer Services Program concluded its annual recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month by inviting hundreds of community members to join then in creating a human pink ribbon.
The events have been very successful and have generated considerable interest in the Cancer Services Program and the free cancer screenings that it offers.
Handville’s dedication to her work and concern for those she serves is commendable, and it is not unnoticed by her supervisors.
“Carolyn is an outstanding employee and a joy to work with. She is incredibly passionate about the Cancer Services Program, the individuals that she works with, and about her community as a whole. I am thrilled that Carolyn was acknowledged with the Forty Under 40 award,” said supervisor and coordinator of the Rural Health Network, Danielle Wert.
OCO Sr. Director of Health and Nutrition, Ellen Holst, echoed those sentiments.
“OCO Health and Nutrition is proud to have a Forty Under 40 award recipient in Carolyn Handville. Carolyn is the voice of the partnership for those Oswego County residents that lack adequate insurance coverage for cancer screenings and treatment. Carolyn consistently reaches out to all members of our county to educate them on the resources available through this county collaborative. Her persistent smile and positive attitude, coupled with her dedication to the mission of this partnership make her a logical winner. We are so happy for her,” she said.
Looking forward, Handville would like to add education pieces and explore the possibility of free screenings for other cancers, such as skin and lung.
She is proud of the work that the Cancer Services Program does and the tremendous resource it is for Oswego County.
“It’s very rewarding to know that I am able to motivate community members to obtain preventative cancer screenings and diagnostic services, and offer them comfort and reassurance that I will be there for them in the event that they are diagnosed with cancer,” said Handville.
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