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The American Cancer Society recommends ANNUAL MAMMOGRAPHY beginning at age 40. Undefeated: BEATING CANCER EVERY TIME PHILIP LOWRY, MD, Joins THE Team STAFF CLOSE- UP Coming on board as medical director of the UP Health System Cancer Center this past spring, Philip Lowry, MD, is launching a new era for Upper Peninsula cancer care. Upbeat and energetic, he has immersed himself in strengthening our nationally recognized cancer care through a partnership with Duke Cancer Network. "The region's stunning geography can be a challenge — patients in the Upper Peninsula must travel great distances to get great care," Dr. Lowry says. "I'm working with the UPHS Cancer Center team to bring that care as close as possible to where patients and their families live." Dr. Lowry is seeing patients both in Marquette and at Doctors Park in Escanaba. For more on Dr. Lowry's practice, as well as UP Health's partnership with Duke Cancer Network, visit mgh.org and click "Cancer Center" under Centers. For more information on our oncology services at UPHS – Marquette, visit our website at mgh.org and click "Cancer Center" under Centers. » AS AN EMPLOYEE of Beacon House, a philanthropic lodging facility for families seeking medical care in Marquette, Jennifer Dodge is very familiar with the challenges faced by cancer patients. Jennifer is also a cancer survivor — twice over — which makes her dedication to the Beacon House, cancer patients and their families even stronger. e Marquette native and mother of two teenage girls was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2009. Soon after, Jennifer underwent a thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy at UP Health System – Marquette. e surgery and therapy were successful, and today she remains thyroid cancer-free. However, in March 2015, at the age of 45, Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jennifer's mother had died several years prior from breast cancer, so she was diligent about undergoing an annual mammogram. ough her 2014 test came up negative, doctors found a slow-growing tumor the size of a pencil eraser in her 2015 screening. ey acted quickly, and Jennifer underwent a lumpectomy performed at UPHS – Marquette by Ryan Edwards, MD, followed by radiation and chemotherapy conducted by Sheetal Acharya, MD. "Considering Jennifer's medical and family histories, she was very smart to make sure she had an annual mammogram," Dr. Acharya says. "at proactive diagnostic procedure may have saved her life." Receiving her cancer treatment close to home has been an enormous benefit, allowing Jennifer to continue managing the gift shop, coffee shops and wig salon at Beacon House. "Being able to get my treatment in Marquette kept my life as simple as possible," Jennifer says. "Because there is such a high quality of cancer care here, I didn't feel the need to travel outside the UP for my treatment." Jennifer and her team of caregivers have beaten breast cancer and thyroid cancer together, and Dr. Acharya continues to monitor her health. Meanwhile, Jennifer is busy with work and getting ready for her eldest daughter's high school graduation next spring. "I know that excellent cancer care is right here should I need it in the future," Jennifer says. "But right now I'm moving forward with my life and I'm not looking back." 5 UPHE ALTHSYSTEM .COM FALL / WINTER 2015