← Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
B. Marie Ward, MD, MPH, FACS, Director of Breast Surgery in the Department of Surgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi
00:16:08
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- [00:02]
A
@ Athenahealth, we know your ambulatory practice wants healthier a healthier business, healthier care teams and healthier patients. But the complexities of modern healthcare tech make it hard for you and your care teams to focus on what matters most. That's where athenahealth can help our AI native all in one solutions reduce administrative burdens, streamline billing and payments, and deliver critical insights when clinicians need it most. That means fewer clicks, more time for patients, and stronger bottom Practicing medicine is complex, but running a practice can be that much simpler. With Athenahealth, see how simpler is healthier at athenahealth.com.
- [00:44]
B
This is Laura Deardle with the Beckers Healthcare Podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by Dr. Marie Ward, who is the Regional Director of breast surgery for NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation. Dr. Ward, it's a pleasure to have you on the podcast today.
- [00:57]
C
Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
- [01:00]
B
Absolutely. Now I'm excited to speak with you because it's such a timely topic to have during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Is talking a little bit about some of the key trends and things you're seeing in breast cancer awareness as well as looking at some of the treatments in technologies and the ways that are able to evolve therapies for patients right now. I'm excited to dig into that discussion, but before we do, can you tell me a little bit more about yourself and your background?
- [01:29]
C
Yes, I'm native New Yorker, born, bred, trained in New York actually in the SUNY system, went to medical school downstate in Brooklyn and did my residency general surgery also in Brooklyn at Maimonides. Really wanted to be involved in women's health and breast surgery. Really was a great combination of being involved in women's health and surgery as well as oncology and being able to make an impact. I've been here at Jacoby for about seven years now, been in practice for about 20 years now. So mid career, have some experience and been at Jacoby for seven years and was director and then rose up to be regional director.
- [02:18]
B
That's fantastic. You know, certainly a great area to commit your career to and make a big difference in the lives of women as well as their families. Perspective clearly you've had a great experience and background in women's health surgery, oncology, looking at the breast surgery in particular. So how have treatments evolved over the years through your career and what are you excited about today?
- [02:45]
C
Yeah, I would say I really think a current trend in breast cancer management today is really individualized, tailored care based on the individual's Specific type of breast cancer. We really are learning more and more about the biology of breast cancers and so developing really kind of targeted therapies for different subtypes of breast cancer. I think that's what's really exciting is that we really are learning more and more and we're able to develop targeted therapies which are making a significant impact, I think, the mortality of breast cancer. I think there's a lot of good news in breast cancer awareness in that we are making strides. The mortality is decreasing, and some of that is due to women undergoing more regular annual mammograms, which has been thought to contribute to decreasing the mortality by about 40%. But also the treatments have improved. And I would say another. Another recurring theme is de escalation. So de escalation of therapy. We're now learning that maybe we were over treating some patients before, and with the knowledge that we're gaining, we're able to de escalate some therapies and tailor therapies. So I think it's really an exciting time. And I really, I can envision in the future some people, some patients might. May not even need surgery. The medications are getting so good.
- [04:36]
B
That's amazing to hear. You know, what a really cool future picture you're painting for us in terms of more targeted care, personalized care, looking at, you know, really making sure you've got the right treatment for patients so we're not over treating patients. And then, you know, that future where you see there might not need to be so much treatment, you know, what can lead up to that? Where do you see some of the biggest advantages, advancements, whether it's detection and other things that could really put us on a course for accelerating that type of reality.
- [05:10]
C
Well, I think really some of the exciting stuff is really the adjuvant therapies, like the chemotherapies and immunotherapy. So that's really kind of a hot topic. Immunotherapy is actually using medication that enhances our own immune system to help combat the cancer cells. And so that is used more and more now. And I think that's really an exciting area as well. And also we're doing a lot more genetic testing as well. That's really an approach to prevention. Right. Because if we find that a woman has a mutation that significantly increases their risk, we can implement certain risk reducing strategies. So that's another area as well. But really I would say again, de escalation and really kind of tailoring individualizing therapies to breast cancer subtypes and immunotherapy, I think is really right now kind of like a very exciting field.
- [06:15]
B
That's amazing to hear and you know, thank you so much for sharing with us because it's critical, I know, to have those types of interventions and then do the best you can as early as possible in order to have the best outcome for patients. When you look at the impact these types of this approach, immunotherapies and more have on patients and their families, I mean, can you tell us a little bit about, you know, what you're seeing in your own practice and how people are really responding to a different type of care?
- [06:49]
C
Well, I think, you know, we, I would say breast cancer management is a little complicated and so we have to kind of break it down for them. But I would say here at Jacoby, we're really kind of focused on that. I created some visual tools that we use while we're talking to patients because there are certain concepts that are difficult to understand. We also came up with like when we, when they're newly diagnosed and they leave us and they're scheduled for surgery, we make sure that they are comfortable and confident with their diagnosis, with the treatment plan as well as, as well as the follow up plan. So I think that's important and that's what we're really, we're kind of focused on here at Jacoby.
- [07:39]
B
Absolutely. Having that type of communication and aligned expectations really improves the overall experience, I know, for patients and their families alike.
- [07:48]
C
Yeah. Because really, I mean, another, another focus, I would say, in breast cancer care is really sort of shared decision making so we can present the different treatment options and approaches to patients. But really the patient too has a say in, you know, which surgery that maybe they would like. You know, are they really wanting to try and preserve their breast or, or maybe, or that's not maybe as important to some women. So we really kind of focused on shared decision making and involving the patient in their, in, in their care.
- [08:27]
B
Got it. That's really helpful to know. And going back to our, the beginning of our discussion, having that type of technology, data and information to boost those discussions too, I can imagine, really helps them feel confident in whatever path they choose to step forward. Now in looking ahead, what are some of the things that you are nervous about or some areas where that are ripe for improvement? I know there's always a lot to be excited about, but certainly challenges ahead as well. What do you see the field and how is it evolving?
- [09:03]
C
Yeah, I think. Well, there's a particular subtype of breast Cancer called triple negative breast cancer. It's the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. And I think that's a challenge because there are more limited therapies for this particular type of breast cancer. And so I would say maybe that would be something of concern. I'm hoping that in the future that we develop some additional therapies to address that particular subtype, because it is the most aggressive subtype and actually it's pretty more common in patient population that I serve. And so I would say that's an area. So triple negative breast cancers and therapies for that. And then also I would say is health equity having access to good, good mammographic screening as well as treatment? So I think that that's really important and that can be a challenge for some people.
- [10:09]
B
Absolutely.
- [10:11]
C
Yeah. And that's why we focus on really trying to deliver excellent care here at Jakobi.
- [10:18]
B
Absolutely. That's amazing. I know the health equity and access is something that keeps coming up in my conversations with healthcare leaders today. And so, you know, when you look at, especially with breast cancer and other types of cancer, it can be a really journey to get through the treatment. And so from your perspective, what are some of the things that you have been doing in order to improve the equity as well as access to care, especially for populations who are underserved?
- [10:49]
C
Yes, well, we're doing a lot of outreach, actually. This coming Wednesday, we have a breast cancer awareness event where we really try and get the patients in the hospital, get them aware, try and give presentations, talks in the community. That's another way to get the word out. Also teaching other providers so that they can ensure that they order their patient's annual mammogram. So I think just teaching and. And spreading the awareness as much as we can.
- [11:28]
B
That'S so critical. And definitely having you as a resource can expand the access and help people understand the importance of doing the screenings or getting treatments and what to look out for too.
- [11:41]
C
Right. And also, I mean, in terms of access. Right. For more vulnerable populations, I think it's important to have facilities just as Jacobi Safety Net Hospital. You know, we're the largest. Well, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation is the largest safety net hospital in the country. And so I think that's really important to address health equity is having places and facilities who can deliver excellent breast care for these vulnerable populations.
- [12:15]
B
It makes a big difference. Absolutely. Now, I'm curious before we wrap up here, I know, you know, in thinking about other hospitals, health systems and providers who are trying to do similar outreach or Caring for especially a broad population in those who are underserved. What is the most important thing for them to do or make sure that they. A program or initiative or anything that they can do in order to really just have better results and expand awareness? Especially during this month when we're thinking about breast cancer.
- [12:54]
C
Yeah, I think it really, I think again, having some events and maybe making it fun as well. But I think probably an important way is the relationship you have with your physician, your primary care physician, because that's the one that's really going to be referring you and educating patients and their kind of frontline, you know, primary care and OB gyn, your gynecologist. So really, you know, having the gynecologist refer the patients for those annual mammograms, because really, the earlier we catch things, the less we have to do. And mammogram really is the most. Is quite sensitive test and can really pick up the microscopic disease. And so I think that that really is the most important thing that women can do is to get their annual mammograms. And so we need to really try and encourage women to get their annual mammograms. And so that could be either during. Through outreach or their. And or their providers. Like for we, we here at Jacoby, we have a table, we have a farmer's market here. And so every week when the farmers market comes out, we put a table out as well with educational material and we try and get the word out to get your annual mammogram and how important that is.
- [14:25]
B
That's amazing to hear. And you know, what a great venue when the community is coming together around so many fun and important things at the farmer's market, then to also have their health information in reminders in that space. It just seems like a really approachable way to connect with the community.
- [14:43]
C
Yes, it really is. It's nice. It's beautiful outside. It's healthy eating. We're promoting healthy nutrition as well as getting some education.
- [14:54]
B
Fantastic. Well, Dr. Ward, thank you so much for joining us on the podcast today. This has been a really fun and informative conversation and just inspiring and exciting to hear about all the cool things ahead in terms of breast cancer surgery.
- [15:07]
C
Definitely good news in breast cancer care.
- [15:11]
B
Absolutely. Fantastic. Well, thank you for your time and I'll look forward to connecting with you again soon.
- [15:15]
C
Thank you very much. Pleasure.
- [15:19]
A
At athenahealth, we know your ambulatory practice wants healthier, a healthier business, healthier care teams and healthier patients. But the complexities of modern healthcare tech make it hard for you and your care teams to focus on what matters most. That's where athenahealth can help our AI native all in one solutions reduce administrative burdens, streamline billing and payments, and deliver critical insights when clinicians need it most. That means fewer clicks, more time for patients, and stronger bottom lines. Practicing medicine is complex, but running a practice can be that much simpler with Athenahealth. See how simpler is healthier@athenahealth.com.