Bayhealth Cancer Institute and Breast Surgeon Honored at Susan G. Komen’s Pink Tie Ball

Bayhealth Cancer Institute and Breast Surgeon Wendy S. Newell, MD, FACS, were recently honored at Susan G. Komen® Philadelphia’s Pink Tie Ball 2017. Bayhealth Cancer Institute received the 2017 Beacon of Hope Award for its exceptional devotion to Komen Philadelphia and its mission and the communities it serves. Dr. Newell was chosen as the recipient of the Light of Life Award, which recognizes physicians who have gone above and beyond in their fight to end breast cancer over the years.

“Through your relationship with Komen Philadelphia, I have developed a long, impressive list of reasons we chose Bayhealth and a member of your team for these awards,” wrote Komen Philadelphia Chief Executive Officer Elaine I. Grobman in her letter notifying Bayhealth it had been chosen to receive the awards. “However, I feel none is quite as powerful as the consistent, loyal and do-anything activism you’ve displayed through the years.”

Grobman went on to cite how Bayhealth has carried out community grants with accountability and integrity and has stepped up to be a leader in Komen’s Delaware-specific initiatives, while providing equal access to patients—thereby allowing one and all to benefit from excellent breast cancer care that saves and enriches lives.

“On behalf of the entire Bayhealth Cancer Institute, it is a true honor to be recognized at the elegant Pink Tie Ball for the tremendous progress that has been made in optimizing breast health within our communities,” said Rishi Sawhney, MD, medical director of the Bayhealth Cancer Institute. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Komen in our journey towards a world without breast cancer.”

Dr. Newell says it warmed her heart to receive the Light of Life Award. “My patients have expressed their gratitude to me over the years, but it felt so good emotionally and professionally to be recognized by a national organization for my contributions to our local community and for the care I’ve provided to our breast cancer patients,” she said.

Dr. Newell has been practicing medicine in Dover for more than 23 years and became more focused on breast cancer care over the years. As a community service and as part of a Komen grant, she participated in free clinical breast exams. Dr. Newell has served on the Komen Philadelphia advisory board, and is the visionary leader who helped drive the creation of an annual awareness event, Go Pink!, for breast cancer. The event just concluded its 12th year.