Cancer

Spectrum Health Hosts Breast Cancer ‘Candid Conversations’

“Good Morning America” Anchor Amy Robach Keynote Speaker

Just a year ago, Amy Robach received the shock of her life. The news anchor on ABC Television’s “Good Morning America” program thought she was simply modeling good health habits when she agreed to an on-air mammogram on October 1, 2013. When the mammogram led to a diagnosis of breast cancer, however, her world was turned upside down.

Amy will share her story of survival as the keynote speaker at this year’s “Candid Conversations” – a free community event celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, sponsored by Spectrum Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services.

Candid Conversations will be held from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 8, in the Steelcase Ballroom at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Avenue NW in downtown Grand Rapids.

Spectrum Health is excited to be a partner with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation to promote breast cancer awareness. The late First Lady Betty Ford was the first public figure to openly discuss her personal experience with breast cancer, just over 40 years ago. Betty’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales, will join this year’s Candid Conversations to talk about the need for early breast cancer detection.

In addition to Robach and Ford Bales, attendees will hear from three Spectrum Health Medical Group experts representing the Spectrum Health Regional Cancer Center:

  • Judy L. Smith, MD, MS, CPE, FACS, chief, Spectrum Health Regional Cancer Center
  • Leonard Wright, MD, medical director, Spectrum Health Hospice, and medical acupuncturist
  • Melinda Miller, MD, breast care surgeon

“We know that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Our hope is that those who attend Candid Conversations leave feeling empowered to take charge of their breast health,” said Dr. Smith. “We want to raise awareness by talking candidly about breast health. Hopefully, we motivate people to explore and understand what options are available to them so that they take action, if appropriate.”

The audience will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with the experts.

Prior to the presentations, there will be a health fair from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. outside the Steelcase Ballroom. Vendors will provide information, merchandise and giveaways related to breast cancer.

The event is free with registration available at www.spectrumhealth.org/betty-ford-event.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 11 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 170 ambulatory and service sites; 1,100 employed physicians and advanced practice providers including members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a 590,000-member health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 21,400 employees. The organization provided $250 million in community benefit during its 2013 fiscal year. In 2014, Spectrum Health was named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics.