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2 0 1 4 B r e a s t H e a l t h S e c t i o n 1 1 Special Advertising Section www.horsesandhope.org www.horsesandhope.org University Surgical — Putting Patients' Needs First In 2011, Louisville native Jessica Rizzo found a lump in her breast during a regular self-breast exam. A biopsy revealed that she had stage 3C invasive ductal breast cancer, a highly aggressive hormone-driven cancer. She received chemotherapy treatment at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center followed by a bilateral mastectomy by Dr. Amy Quillo, surgical oncologist with UofL Physicians - Surgical Oncology, and Kenneth standard for his practice. His patients' needs always come frst. And as an academic surgeon, he stays at the forefront of breast cancer care and treatment to impart this knowledge to the next generation of plastic surgeons, as well as his patients. Not only does he teach and perform surgery, he regularly lectures and publishes scientifc articles to teach others around the globe about cutting-edge research and best options for reconstructive surgery. While all of this was important to Rizzo, it was the way she was treated that really stood out. "Not only was he a great doctor, he was so wonderful to my son," she said. Rizzo's fve-year-old son, Mason, accompanies her to all of her appointments. "I was strong because of his love," Rizzo said. "He actually takes care of me. I know it sounds strange to say, but getting cancer was such a blessing to me. I was going nowhere fast. Getting cancer forced me to get my life together for me and Mason." Since being diagnosed, Rizzo has earned one degree and is working on another, which she will complete in April. "My life has taken a new direction. I have a whole lot of love for the people in my life," she said. "I met so many amazing people through my journey. Today, I count my blessings." The work Dr. Wilhelmi does instills confidence in his patients and helps them regain a feeling of womanhood and familiarity in their lives " " F. Von Roenn, M.D., family chair in Surgical Endocrinology, Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Louisville (UofL) School of Medicine. She then was referred for her breast reconstruction to Dr. Bradon Wilhelmi, plastic and reconstructive surgeon with UofL Physicians - Plastic Surgery, and Leonard J. Weiner, professor and chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the UofL School of Medicine. Dr. Wilhelmi frst performed a breast reconstruction technique called tissue expansion, which involves expansion of the breast skin and muscle using a temporary tissue expander. A breast tissue expander is an infatable breast implant designed to stretch the skin and muscle to make room for a future, more permanent implant. A few months later, the expander was removed, and he inserted her permanent implants. He also performed her nipple reconstruction. "He and his staff were simply amazing. They were more like family," Rizzo said. "They went above and beyond and helped me to get back on my feet. The work Dr. Wilhelmi does instills confdence in his patients and helps them regain a feeling of womanhood and familiarity in their lives. The hardest part of having cancer is looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person staring back at you. When you lose your breasts, an overwhelming sense of loss and insecurity takes over. It makes it easy to become very depressed. The miracle he provides is unmatched and priceless." For Dr. Wilhelmi, this level of service is the Jessica Rizzo