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FRIENDS OF THE C ANCER INSTITUTE ARE PAYING IT FORWARD

Paying Attention

“And then I met Dr. Mackey. It’s hard to put into words how
much he comforted me. In the midst of his recommendation

for a treatment plan, he said: ‘I am going to take care of you
the way I would care for my mother.’”

In 2014, however, Elaine experienced In December 2017, during the same
her own kind of trauma when she month Elaine was scheduled for hernia
believed she might have pancreatic surgery with Dr. Mackey, a routine
cancer. Seeing a growth on her pancreas mammogram revealed that she had
in scans, her gastroenterologist referred very early stage breast cancer. “I didn’t
Elaine Witman with her grandchildren
Elaine to Richard Mackey, MD, of the think twice. I called Dr. Mackey in
At UM St. Joseph Medical UM St. Joseph Liver and Pancreas tears. He responded immediately, ‘I
Center’s Cancer Institute, Center. “I was absolutely terrified,” will take it from here.’ Dr. Mackey

Elaine Witman finds the she says. “Everything that you would contacted Dr. Michael Schultz, the
same loving care that has expect me to be thinking, I was. And medical director of the Breast Center at
then I met Dr. Mackey. It’s hard to put
been a hallmark of her into words how much he comforted me. St. Joe’s. Three days later, I met with
Dr. Schultz who was every bit as loving
own career. In the midst of his recommendation for and compassionate as Dr. Mackey. Of
a treatment plan, he said: ‘I am going to
For the past 30 years, Elaine Witman take care of you the way I would care course I wasn’t but I felt like I was Dr.
has devoted her professional life to for my mother.’” Schultz’s only patient. His eye contact
helping victims of trauma, particularly and the way he held my hand, I just
children, who have suffered from abuse Dr. Mackey operated on Elaine in knew everything was going to be ok.”
and neglect. To listen to her speak gives July 2014, removed the growth on her And it was. After a lumpectomy and
one the comforting reassurance that pancreas, and came to her room later to radiation, Elaine is now cancer-free. “I
Elaine is zealously looking out for report: “Not only is it benign but it’s the am thrilled that I can make gifts in
the youth of our community with most benign it could be!” Sweet words, honor of these wonderful physicians,”
passion and dedication. She is making indeed. “He was as happy as I was,” concludes Elaine.
a difference. smiles Elaine.

The vision of the Cancer Institute is to be a preeminent,
creative and visionary cancer center of excellence, providing
About the Cancer Institute the highest quality of cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis,
treatment and survivorship to patients in our community. As
a formal affiliate of the nationally renowned University of
Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive
Cancer Center, the UM St. Joseph Cancer Institute exists to
enhance quality and extend lives of our cancer patients in a
faith-based environment honoring our healing ministry.
For information on how to support the Cancer Institute at
UM St. Joseph Medical Center, please call 410-337-1397 or
visit UMStJoseph.org/Giving.

UMStJoseph.org/Giving 5