ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Society of Breast Disease (ASBD) announced that the 2014 recipient of its Pathfinder Award will be Gail Lebovic, MA, MD, FACS. Dr. Lebovic is best known for her pioneering work in breast cancer surgery and her entrepreneurial endeavors that have introduced several groundbreaking technologies in women's health care.
The Society's Pathfinder award recognizes innovators who have advanced the treatment of breast disease by combining research and clinical practice with an interdisciplinary perspective. Over the past decade recipients have included Dr. Umberto Veronessi, Ambassor Nancy Brinker, Dr. Laszlo Tabar, Dr. Mel Silverstein and other select few prominent clinicians. The award will be presented to Dr. Lebovic at the Senologic International Society (SIS) 2014 World Congress, to be co-hosted by SIS and ASBD at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel Oct. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla.
“Gail has had an astounding impact on the diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative care of breast cancer patients,” said ASBD President Jean Lynn, MPH, RN, OCN. “She’s been a world leader in the development of oncoplastic surgical techniques. In many ways, this woman-centric surgical approach sums up Gail’s career. Every one of her innovations has been aimed at transforming breast cancer care, so it focuses not just on the disease itself but also on the quality of patients’ lives.”
Dr Lebovic was among a small group of surgeons in the world to develop and practice innovative techniques in breast surgery known as "Oncoplastic surgery". These techniques combine cancer removal techniques with reconstructive surgery in order to remove cancer while helping to maintain or improve the breast’s natural shape, contour and symmetry.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award and feel blessed in so many ways.” said Dr. Lebovic. "The Society has made huge differences in practice patterns - paying special attention to patients' needs and desires – a goal that has been the focus of my entire career. It means a great deal to be recognized by my colleagues, in addition to having the greatest reward of all - being an integral part of the evolution in breast health care. "
In addition to Dr. Lebovic’s pioneering clinical work as an oncoplastic surgeon, she has co-founded several medical device companies and holds numerous patents.
Her latest contribution to breast cancer care is her co-invention of the BioZorb™ surgical tissue marker. The device is implanted by the surgeon at the time of cancer removal and functions to clearly identify the surgical site in three dimensions. Physicians using BioZorb have reported that it has proved useful in many aspects of breast cancer care including radiation treatment planning, patient positioning, and follow up - to name a few. Lebovic is effusive in her description of the product: "The most exciting thing about BioZorb, is that it embodies the principles of oncoplastic surgery - yet it functions to cross boundaries between physician specialties. Although it's placed by the surgeon, it helps all the physicians involved in the patients' care to do a better job, and ultimately has benefits for patients during and after their surgery."
The tissue marker was developed as an alternative to traditional techniques for targeting the surgical site which can be troublesome. Various problems with current techniques are well recognized in the scientific literature, and Lebovic had a clear understanding of these shortcomings leading to development of this new marker as a more reliable target.
Dr. Lebovic has also been instrumental in development of other breast care technologies, such as the MammoPad, the MicroMark biopsy marker, the SAVI applicator, the CAPRI applicator and others.
Dr. Lebovic spent more than a decade as an attending surgeon at Stanford University Medical Center. She later served as Associate Director of the Lee Breast Center at the University of Southern California and then as Director of Women’s Healthcare at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas. She was selected as the Chair of the upcoming World Congress of Breast Healthcare and served as past president of ASBD while currently she is Chief Medical Officer at Focal Therapeutics, Inc..
The SIS World Congress provides participants with the latest research and techniques in breast healthcare. The 2014 World Congress will feature the Global Summit on Oncoplastic Surgery, a ten-hour workshop on oncoplastic surgical techniques that was developed by Dr. Lebovic and is being offered for the first time at the World Congress. As a philanthropist, Dr. Lebovic has developed and led numerous courses teaching Oncoplastic surgery around the world.
About the American Society of Breast Disease
Formed in 1976, ASBD is a professional medical society that advocates the multi-disciplinary team approach to breast healthcare and educates physicians who strive to optimize breast health. ASBD also supports a national breast disease research agenda, and otherwise collaborates with other scientific societies and advocacy organizations on breast health-related issues.
For more information, call 214-368-6836 or access www.asbd.org.