Attending the Cancer Survivorship Celebration were (l-r): Karen Santucci, MD, chief medical officer, Greenwich Hospital, and professor of Pediatrics and of Emergency Medicine, Yale School of Medicine (YSM); Alyssa Gillego, MD, breast surgeon, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich, and assistant professor of Surgery, YSM; William Oh, MD, director, Precision Medicine, Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, and service line medical director, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich; M. Sung Lee, MD, Medical Oncology, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich, and assistant professor of Medicine, YSM; Kristina Capretti, RN, DNP, patient services director, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich; Barbara Ward, MD, chair of Surgery, Greenwich Hospital, medical director, Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich, and associate professor, YSM.
On May 29, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich hosted its first in-person Cancer Survivorship Celebration since 2019, bringing together patients, healthcare providers and community members to honor survivors’ strength and resilience.
Survivors shared their journeys and triumphs over cancer at the event and had the opportunity to mingle with staff. The event also highlighted advancements in cancer care and the importance of survivorship programs.
“This event signifies our commitment to treating cancer and supporting our patients throughout their survivorship journey,” said William Oh, MD, director, Precision Medicine, Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, and service line medical director, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich. “It is inspiring to witness the strength and courage of our survivors, and we are honored to be part of their stories.”
Barbara Ward, MD, chair of Surgery at Greenwich Hospital; medical director of the Breast Center, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich; and associate professor, Yale School of Medicine, shared her personal experience with survivorship, citing her mother’s breast cancer journey. “She did not exactly embrace the term ‘survivor.’ She wanted to move beyond her diagnosis,” explained Dr. Ward. “It’s not just surviving, it’s learning to grow and thrive.”
