Pittsfield Resident Receives Prestigious Award
Pictured Left to Right: Ronni Cohen-Boyar, Executive Director, Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure; Kathy Hart; Jamie Eslinger, Board Member, Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen; Tricia McKenna, Volunteer, Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure; Debbie Piltch, Board President; Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Kathy Hart, the Patient Care Coordinator for the Women’s Imaging Center at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, was recently honored with the 2009 Cheryl Kramer Passion for the Mission award at the Susan G. Komen Massachusetts Race for the Cure in Boston. A two-time breast cancer survivor and Pittsfield resident, Kathy received this award because of her passionate and inspirational dedication to the fight against breast cancer.
Friends and colleagues describe Kathy as a “remarkable woman who has touched and improved the lives of so many women” in the community. As the Patient Care Coordinator for the Women’s Imaging Center at Berkshire Medical Center and a breast health specialist, Kathy has played a key role in building the program into what it is today. Her primary focus is to see that newly diagnosed patients receive individualized information, support and coordination of care. In addition, she co-facilitates three breast cancer support groups: two groups for newly diagnosed patients and a third for women with advanced diseases. A Wellness Program was developed to assist women to improve their health status post-treatment.
“I am honored to receive this prestigious recognition from an organization that is so dedicated to getting the word out about breast cancer, prevention and care,” said Hart. “The Women’s Imaging Center at Berkshire Medical Center has been a fortunate recipient of a grant from the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the past four years, which has allowed us to concentrate our efforts on promoting awareness and providing services for our community.”
Kathy also helped to create Berkshire County’s one-of-a-kind “best practice” program that emphasizes early detection. Women are educated at various community sites such as flu clinics and health fairs on the importance of early detection and knowing one’s body. Women are encouraged to have annual mammograms and appointments are scheduled on-site. Kathy’s efforts have lead to four women’s diagnosis that would have gone undetected if it were not for this program.
“Kathy’s tireless efforts have helped women in numerous ways,” said Linda Ruberto, Board Member for the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Pittsfield resident. “She is a member of the ACS Berkshire Breast Health Team, a Reach to Recovery volunteer and connects recently diagnosed women to support services like the Look Good….Feel Better program. She is a role model for all of us who are involved with the cause.”
The Cheryl Kramer Passion for the Mission award is named after Cheryl Kramer, also from Pittsfield, who passionately dedicated herself to eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. The award is presented to an individual in Massachusetts who best demonstrates Cheryl’s dedication to the fight against breast cancer. The winner receives a $1,000 donation in their name to the organization of their choice that is to be used to promote breast cancer education.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® Massachusetts Affiliate
The mission of the Massachusetts Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is to eradicate breast cancer by advancing research, screening, care and education. Our Vision is a world without breast cancer. Established in 2001, the Massachusetts Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure works to reduce breast cancer in MA by funding education, screening and treatment programs, with an emphasis on the medically underserved. For more information, visit www.komenmass.org or call (617) 737-5111 to reach the Affiliate or (800) 439-2370 to reach the MA Relay.
