Warren member uses ties to help community

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Brooke Brzozowske
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  As a newly married active duty military wife of Capt. Jim Spoo, 90th Maintenance Operations Squadron, Mrs. Tabitha Maris-Spoo wants to use her ties to Warren in addition to her career as a nurse practitioner to serve as a liaison between Warren's medical clinic and the community's medical facilities.

The title of Mrs. Cheyenne 2009 gave her the opportunity she was looking for to show that she is vested in her new community alongside her husband and his country, Mrs. Maris-Spoo said.

"The Mrs. Cheyenne pageant gives me the chance to reach out to the base," Mrs. Maris-Spoo said. "There are so many things that we can learn and share with one another in regards to medical issues, and it's important that F.E. Warren Air Force Base and the greater Cheyenne community foster that relationship."

Mrs. Maris-Spoo met with Capt. Jennifer Behan, 90th Medical Group health care integrator, on Nov. 17 to begin introductions to forward the important relationship.

"Mrs. Maris and what she brings to the table in regards to hematology and oncology information is a great community resource," Capt. Behan said. With Mrs. Maris-Spoo's background in hematology and oncology as a nurse practitioner, she will serve as a cancer resource and be greatly beneficial to active duty and their extended dependents diagnosed with cancer.

During their meeting, Mrs. Maris-Spoo informed Capt. Behan about recent grants from the Cancer Coalition for Laramie County totaling close to $2 million for underinsured and underserved members of Laramie County.

Mrs. Maris-Spoo wants to make sure Warren's medical clinic is not forgotten with the benefits of this grant, she said. "We want to make sure that our military members know there is great support in the Cheyenne community, especially with facilities like the Cheyenne Regional Cancer Resource Center."

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and the Laramie County Cancer Resource Coordinators offer educational information for patients, families and caretakers on all cancers, cancer diagnosis and patient navigation, Mrs. Maris-Spoo said.

Also within this center, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Wyoming Affiliate has a library with information on breast health and breast cancer. The boutique offers free wigs, scarves, hats and turbans for those undergoing cancer treatments. The center will also offer wigs and hats donated by The American Cancer Society for other types of cancer patients.

"This information is important to our military community, said Capt. Behan. Sometimes, it is hard for squadrons to support the needs of those diagnosed with cancer. This center was good news to hear."

"Information like this is why this relationship between Mrs. Maris-Spoo, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and Warren's medical clinic will help build added community awareness of cancer support systems and preventative services," Capt. Behan said.