At Ovatient, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a campaign—it’s a cause that deeply resonates with our entire team. This October, we’re taking a moment to reflect on why raising awareness and supporting those impacted by breast cancer means so much to each of us.
Our team members have come together to share their perspectives, from stories of personal connections to professional insights, underscoring the importance of early detection, advocacy, and support. We hope these testimonials inspire and encourage you to get involved—by sharing your own story and encouraging friends or family to get screened.
Lisa Belisle
Lisa Belisle, MD, Medical Director
The pink ribbons with which we celebrate the month of October are deeply significant to me both as a physician and a person. They bring to mind my own journey as a patient with breast cancer: one that began unexpectedly ten years ago despite being a young woman with no risk factors.
While the surgery and reconstruction of my treatment were physically painful, my most vivid recollections are of the moment I first shared the news of the diagnosis with my children. My fear for their emotional well-being and uncertainty about their future was more intense than my feelings around what I was experiencing. Being a patient also gave me great insight and empathy as a clinician who works with families who are similarly impacted by cancer.
My diagnosis was a wake-up call for my own family, underscoring the importance of early screening and detection. The experience also connected me to a broader community of survivors whose resilience inspires me daily to celebrate life with gratitude. October’s pink ribbons symbolize countless stories of fear, courage, and hope. Fortunately, some of these stories–like mine–have a happy ending.
Wendy O’Connell
Wendy O’Connell, MBA, Director of Operations
It meant saving my sister’s life! In her mid-thirties, a routine mammogram revealed a suspicious spot that at first was thought to be dense breast tissue but turned out to be cancerous.
Shocked and afraid, she endured a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery while raising her young family. She has never taken her gift of life for granted. She is an amazing wife, mother, sister, and friend and lives her life being kind and generous to others.
Even after all these years, as the annual mammogram exam approaches, we all hold our breath and count our blessings, praying that it will not return.
There were no warning signs! Ignoring preventive care could have cost her, her life.
I can’t imagine life without my very first and forever best friend! Please be proactive about your breast health!
Liz Adkison’s mom, Shelly, rings the bell, marking the end of her treatment.
Liz Adkison DNP, FNP-C, Virtual Primary Care Provider
In October 2022, my mom received the life-changing news that she had breast cancer, which she found out through her MyChart results. I’ll never forget the moment she called me at work to help interpret those results. It was devastating to hear.
The following year became a whirlwind of appointments, and I did my best to support her through her diagnosis and treatment, despite being 1,000 miles away. Thankfully, I was able to take FMLA leave to be by her side after her surgery and during most of her treatments.
Every day spent in the treatment center with her and the same incredible group of patients fostered a profound sense of camaraderie. This experience allowed me to view healthcare through a different lens—as both a daughter and a caregiver. It strengthened our family bond and deepened my insight as a medical professional. I can’t stress enough the importance of routine mammograms; they truly saved my mother’s life—my best friend and my hero.
This October, I wear pink not just for my mother but for everyone who has loved someone, cared for someone, lost someone, or who personally has fought breast cancer.
Deborah Willner
Deborah Willner, PA-C, Virtual Urgent Care Provider
Breast Cancer Awareness month is a tough time for me. My mom passed away from breast cancer. I do not get excited when I see all the pink, etc. So I tend to pull back and become more quiet than I already am. However, I do delight in seeing people support others, in any capacity. My mom died 15 years ago, and CLEARLY I am not “over it” but I love the concept of people encouraging and extending themselves to help someone else. That immensely touches my heart!
