“Annual mammograms have nothing to do with prevention; but they have everything to do with early detection— which is key in successful treatment.” Dr. Chad Johnson, Warren Clinic breast surgeon
Warren Clinic breast surgeons Dr. Chad Johnson and Dr. Erica Hill
In terms of breast cancer, Warren Clinic plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Kevin Kunkel, Dr. Wyatt Ho and Dr. Timothy Browne specialize in breast reconstruction surgery, a procedure which builds a new breast or restores a breast to near normal shape after breast cancer surgery. “Once the best and most effective plan has been established, we meet with the patient to make sure they understand every aspect of their treatment and what to expect going forward,” Dr. Johnson says. “I think everyone on our treatment team would agree that the opportunity to educate and really talk at length with our patients is one of the most rewarding things we do. Essentially, we are here to guide our patients through this journey to the other side so they can resume their wonderful lives.”
Genetically speaking “Rewarding” is a word that also crops up when Lori Carpenter describes her job as the health system’s genetic counselor. “Educating, talking with and simply being there for patients are by far some of the most rewarding parts of my job,” she says. To say Carpenter’s domain is complex is an understatement. To say she feels she is
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exactly where she belongs, is as well. The overall goal of genetic counseling is not only risk assessment, but also to explain cause/inheritance of a disorder, availability of testing, prognosis and management/ treatment options. As the only genetic counselor in all of eastern Oklahoma, she says she is thankful to be at Saint Francis and accessible to patients. “I so appreciate Saint Francis’ commitment to providing patients with this level of comprehensive cancer care. Yes, genetics are complicated—which is why having the opportunity to sit down face-to-face and one-on-one with my patients is important,” Carpenter says. “Our mission is to determine why a person developed cancer at an early age, or why they have such a strong family history of cancer in the first place. We ask ourselves other questions too such as, ‘what else do we need to be proactive about in this person’s screening?’ and ‘who else in the family would benefit by knowing this information?’”
Calm reassurance Radiologist Dr. Brooke Caldwell is Saint Francis Health System’s dedicated specialist in breast health. She says any way you look at it, having an annual mammogram is definitely the best shot at maintaining breast