Penn Medicine

We are doing everything in our power to keep our patients safe - including during surgery. Stay up-to-date on the latest surgery safety measures here at Penn Medicine.

We're so excited to have a brand new Radiation Oncology space at Penn Medicine Radnor which is starting to feel like home with this beautiful artwork. Ben, Evelyn and Ella, Lead Radiation Therapist Mary Cohen's children, created the art themselves. Mary recently lost her husband, and due to COVID, the children have been staying with their grandparents in Florida. Their grandparents are the primary teachers in charge of their virtual learning since Mary is a front line healthcare worker. The Radiation Oncology team hung up the pictures to make sure the kids knew that we're taking good care of their mom while they're away.

"Cancer has impacted the day-to-day minutia of life to the big questions in life. My boys were 9 and 10 the year I was diagnosed. They were old enough to understand the seriousness of cancer and too young to have lost the innocence of childhood. Many times, I can’t be an active mom with my boys. But, cancer has heightened my appreciation for the small and beautiful moments I’ve experienced with my family. I have many memories where my boys have melted my heart with their compassion, tenderness, and sweet encouragement. To newly diagnosed patients: You have just gained another family those who are fighting cancer too. Lean on them, ask questions, listen to their story and gain strength for your own." - Corinne Sikora, medulloblastoma patient #PeopleOfPennCancer

Home infusion therapy is a way for our patients to get the treatment they need in the comfort of their own home. Rebecca Walton Martinez, RN, BSN takes us on a virtual ride-along as she administers infusion therapies to patients in need.

Happy. Healthy. Safe. This is what we want for you this holiday season! (For more tips on COVID-19 holiday safety: http://spr.ly/6182HPeBr.)

Ready for the event of the season? Philly Fights Cancer From Home is TONIGHT! Stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco is headlining and Philly's own singer/songwriter Jessy Kyle is performing. Join us from the comfort of your couch at 7pm: http://spr.ly/6186G7rKQ

There is a lot to navigate, physically and emotionally, with a breast cancer diagnosis. That's why we have a team of nurse navigators to guide you along the way. Maria Malloy, BSN, RN, OCN, CBCN is one of the AMAZING nurse navigators in our breast cancer program. She shares some of her advice for those newly diagnosed in this Basser Center for BRCA blog: http://spr.ly/6188GN20M.

Yesterday, we celebrated Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day the COVID way virtually! with many of our amazing breast cancer patients and survivors. Mother/daughter patient duo Deb and Molly joined us to share about their journeys with breast cancer. Last February, right before the pandemic hit, they had the honor of walking down the AnaOno runway during New York Fashion Week. They reflected on the experience and showed us what it looks like to reclaim your body and your life after cancer. Read more about Deb and Molly’s story here: https://www.pennmedicine.org//2020//side-by-side-survivors

We walk to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, and improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Will you join us? The big Philadelphia The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Eastern PA Chapter is coming on Friday, 10/23. Sign up now: http://spr.ly/6184GAR4O.

"The Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center seeks to provide world-class cancer care with dedication to innovation and compassion. I want to be a part of that kind of team every day I come to work. In Radiation Oncology, we strive every day to meet our goal of 'Excellence is Standard.' I can offer my patients the best in state-of-the-art technology at Penn Medicine. But I aim to keep my daily focus on the patient - the personal care, the attention, the compassion - and no...t just on the technology. I sit down, listen, think of this person and given them my attention to let them know they are my only focus and top priority in that moment. My advice for women is to go for an annual visit with a primary care physician or gynecologist each year - whether you think you are healthy or not. The screening mammogram has made early detection of breast cancer possible. Early detection makes cure more likely and treatment less intensive." - Dr. Gary Freedman, chief breast radiation oncologist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania #PeopleOfPennCancer #BreastCancerAwareness

What have you learned in your journey fighting breast cancer? "That I am stronger than I knew I was. I just pushed forward to move through the process as quickly as possible. I also learned that have the best doctors on your side is very important. Along your journey you are asked some very difficult questions about the course of treatments and the advantages and disadvantages of all. I had the best team of doctors at Penn Medicine that were patient with me and explaine...d all the pros and cons. I am very thankful to have had a wonderful team of doctors and because of them I am very happy with my decisions. I could not be happier with Dr. Mateo and Dr. Kanchwala's offices at Penn Medicine." - Kim Schempp, Stage 1 Invasive Breast Cancer patient #PeopleOfPennCancer #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

"These two cranes represent my friendships with Charles and Julie- thank you guys for being so wonderful!" - Kim Kim, and many like her, are helping us reach our goal of folding 1,000 paper cranes as symbols of hope and healing. Will you join us on this journey? Join us tomorrow, 10/17, from 11am-12pm, for an instructional folding session so you can make your own crane. Once it is complete, take a picture and submit it along with a reflection of what your crane means to you.... For more information: http://spr.ly/6181GaDNJ. #PennCranes

"I am privileged to work with some amazing patients from both the Philadelphia area and beyond, as well as working with many of the top experts that Abramson leverages in the field. I’m inspired by the courage and perseverance of every person battling breast cancer and their families; and inspired by the commitment and dedication of my colleagues. I feel like every day I learn new things from my patients every patient is so different, so unique. I often treat men and women ...going through one of the most challenging times of their lives, seeing them in such a vulnerable state, I work hard to learn their unique needs and develop a cancer treatment plan that is the best possible fit for them." - Dr. Alina Mateo, Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center Breast Surgeon at Pennsylvania Hospital #PeopleOfPennCancer #BreastCancerAwareness

"For my friends and my patients (and my patients who have become my friends), I do all that I can to give women their best chances of survival. For me, the fight against cancer, particularly breast cancer is something that I am extremely passionate about both personally and professionally. As a Radiation Oncologist, I have been treating cancer patients for over 31 years. I have treated thousands of women with breast cancer, and I know too well how each patient's journey come...s with many physical and emotional challenges. This is why I am committed to treating my patients as if they were members of my own family. I focus on them as a person not a disease." - Dr. Alexis Harvey, Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center Radiation Oncologist To learn more and to join Dr. Harvey in her efforts to raise funds for American Cancer Society via Superwomen Against Cancer campaign: http://spr.ly/6187GN2rW. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

When Erika Stallings was diagnosed with a BRCA2 mutation, she knew she could not be the only woman of color living with this diagnosis. Yet, she found it difficult to find stories of black and brown women like her in this situation. So, Erika is dug into research and is sharing her story through Basser Center for BRCA so more women of color have access to potentially lifesaving information.... Read her story here: https://bit.ly/3iX0Uty. #BlackInCancer

We’re conducting a study to better understand if cancer patients have received the support they need during the COVID-19 pandemic and how we can improve our support services. If you or a loved one has received supportive care for cancer anytime since March 15th, we would greatly appreciate it if you would take this survey: http://spr.ly/6180GLJbG. (Supportive care includes appointments, calls or virtual visits with supportive care staff such as social workers, nurse navigators, dietitians and others who support you during your cancer treatment.) Thank you for helping us help YOU!

#MotivationMonday

Facts: real men wear pink. Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center's Dr. Neil Taunk wears pink because he understands the impact - physically, mentally and financially - on his patients when they are diagnosed with breast cancer. This is why he is participating in this year's American Cancer Society Philadelphia's Real Men Wear Pink campaign, which funds innovative breast cancer research, patient services and education round screening and risk reduction. ... Consider how you might make a difference by supporting Dr. Taunk, who is helping fight breast cancer everyday by donating at: http://spr.ly/6180GLJp6.

Last week, Penn Medicine - Abramson Cancer Center's Dr. Charu Aggarwal shared a very important presentation about the impact of COVID-19 on the cancer patient during Penn Medicine's Cancer & COVID conference. To watch the full conference, including special guest Dr. Anthony Fauci, you can find the complete playlist here: http://spr.ly/6181G2ZdP