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Women of Distinction

elia Passi was the nately there is not enough
publisher of Work- transparency in healthcare
Ding Woman and yet. There are not enough
Working Mother magazines, resources or tools. We need
so she was already helping it, we just don’t have it.”
women empower them- This was the turning
selves within the business point for Delia. She made a
world. What would happen decision to leave her career
later, after an unexpected in publishing to start a com-
diagnosis, would completely pany that would help edu-
turn her world upside down cate and empower so that
and set a whole new fire no other woman would ever
and passion into her goal have to go through what
to helping other women, she did. Thus, the Women’s
leading to the start of the Choice Award was born.
Women’s Choice Awards. The Women’s Choice
Delia was only 42 at the Award (WCA) is a free
time when she agreed to get resource that collects and
a mammogram to support uses women’s experiences
her nervous best friend. across the nation to find and
When the results were rate the best of the best in
in, Delia’s friend was told healthcare, brands, compa-
everything was fine. De- nies to work for, financial
lia’s results came back with advisors, cars, and colleges.
suspicious calcifications and WCA does the research to
was told that she needed to find the best in just about
come in for more testing. everything in life so that
“That day changed my life” you don’t have to. And,
she said. During recovery even though WCA uses a
from a surgical biopsy, the woman’s high criteria for
doctor unceremoniously selection, the resource is
told her those dreaded Helping Women beneficial for men too!
words: “YOU’VE GOT Now, ten years from its
CANCER.” inception, the WCA is “the
Shocked, Delia’s first leading and only resource
thought was “I have three Help Themselves that ranks and rates mam-
little girls and I’m going to mogram centers, com-
die.” Rather than wallow in prehensive breast centers,
grief, Delia knew she need- and all service lines for the
ed to focus on a treatment By Lisa Lohani hospital.” The WCA comes
plan. The problem: There Photos courtesy of Delia Passi from a woman’s perspec-
were no solid resources tell- tive, and therefore is “based
ing her where she should go on a very high criteria. We
to get her diagnostic work decision of my life” she “How the hell did this are the only award in the
done. said. That decision led to happen to me?” Delia asked country that will not sepa-
“I was very resourceful, multiple misdiagnosis, the doctor after her mastec- rate clinical outcomes from
but I couldn’t find anything two lumpectomies, and a tomy. The doctor responded patient experience.”
to get me through this call from the doctor to say that it was because of where The WCA has been
moment and time. I felt so that they still found more she got her tests done. Delia changing the lives of
terribly isolated that I was cancer and that they would asked “Ok, how was I sup- women across the country
devastated.” have to take even more out. posed to know any different? by showing them better
Due to lack of clear She said “Ok, just take the Show me one place online options for getting the best
direction for good test- damn breast! Who needs where it rates and ranks healthcare available. One
ing sites, Delia ended up the damned breast! I have where to go for a mammo- woman of 89 shared that
going to a local hospital almost nothing left of me, gram. Show me anything. her doctor would no longer
with a breast imaging just take it! So I ended up All it lists are places to go.” perform mammograms for
center. “That was the worst with a mastectomy.” He said, “Well, unfortu- her because she was over

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