Breast Cancer Expert Dr. Susan Love Honored as Humanitarian of the Year
Dr. Susan M. Love, nationally renowned breast cancer expert and author of
the bestseller Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Cancer Book, will receive Western
University of Health Sciences’ “”Humanitarian of the Year”” award during a
fundraising gala for the university at the Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel
on November 3.
Western University will donate 20 percent of proceeds from this “”A Tribute
to Caring”” event to two relief organizations working to help victims and
their families of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Each will receive 10
percent of monies raised. The organizations are the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and
Scholarship Fund.””
The remainder of funds raised will benefit the university’s scholarship
fund.
The institution, a graduate university of medical sciences located in
Pomona, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, awards its “”Humanitarian of
the Year”” to an individual it feels best exemplifies dedication to
alleviating the suffering of others.
Four of Western University’s five colleges train students to become
pharmacists, osteopathic physicians, physical therapists, advanced
practice nurses and physician assistants. The university’s College of
Veterinary Medicine – the first and only in Southern California – will
open its doors to its charter class of students in fall 2003.
“”Dr. Love is a great example of what one person with compassion and a
singular commitment to making a difference can do,”” said Philip Pumerantz,
PhD, president.
Dr. Love is known nationwide for her dedication to the eradication of
breast cancer She is medical director of the Susan Love, MD,
Breast Cancer Foundation and is director of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. She is
an adjunct professor of surgery at UCLA.
In 1998, President Bill Clinton appointed her to the National Cancer
Advisory Board. She is the founder of ProoDuct Health Inc., created as a
result of her research on an intraductal approach to treating breast
cancer. Her book, Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book, was hailed by the New
York Times as “”the bible for women with breast cancer.”” She is also the
author of Dr. Susan Love’s Hormone Book.
Western University also will honor three of its graduates
as “”Distinguished Alumni.”” They are: Rolf D. Knapp, DO, a 1987 graduate of
Medicine of the Pacific (COMP), and a physician in private practice in
Orange, California; Christy Marilo, MPT, a 1994 graduate of the College of Allied Health
Professions’ Master of Physical Therapy Program; and Mary E. Budrunas,
PA-C, a 1996 graduate of the College of Allied Health Professions’ Primary Care Physician
Assistant Studies Program.
Dr. Knapp has held many positions within the Western University Alumni
Association over the years, culminating in service as president in 1999-
2000. He also has been a well-respected preceptor for COMP students since
1989.
He is active within many professional organizations, including the
Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, serving as president in
2000-2001. Dr. Knapp also is an examiner with the Osteopathic Medical
Board of California. He was a member of the American Osteopathic
Association’s House of Delegates in 1999 and 2000.
Marilo has remained exceptionally active within the Western University
community since her graduation as a member of the charter class of master
of physical therapy students in 1994 – she was president of the Western
University Alumni Association in 1998-1999, served as past president for
the following two years, and was a Continuing Medical Education committee
member and physical therapy continuing education coordinator in 1999 and
2000.
Budrunas graduated in 1996 from Western University’s Primary Care
Physician Assistant Education Program fourth in her class, with a 3.91
GPA. A resident of Pomona, Budrunas has worked as a physician assistant
at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana since graduation. She is a member of the
American Academy of Physician Assistants, as well as both the California
and Florida academies.
The “”Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, created on September 17 by the
Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation of America in Minneapolis, MN, and the
Lumina Foundation for Education in Indianapolis, IN, provides financial
support for postsecondary education to families who suffered direct losses
terrorist attacks. Former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Senator
Bob Dole in early October launched a nationwide effort to raise $100
million for the fund.
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF) is a non-profit
organization that turns rescued and donated dogs into rescue dogs.
Thirteen NDSDF dogs and their handlers went to the World Trade Center site
after the terrorist attacks to search for victims.
La Verne resident Jeanne Charney is chair of this year’s “”A Tribute to
Caring.”” Donald Krpan, DO, FACOFP, university provost and immediate-past
president of the American Osteopathic Association, will serve as master of
ceremonies.
Major sponsors of “”A Tribute to Caring”” include: President’s Circle:
Caremore Medical Group, Doctors’ Hospital Medical Center of Montclair,
Pacific Hospital of Long Beach and Dr. Prem Reddy; Gold Sponsors: Bank of
America, The Hethumuni Family and Orthopedic Sports & Spine Medical Group;
Silver sponsors: Bradley Insurance Services, Inc., Casa Colina Centers for
Rehabilitation, Dr. and Mrs. George Charney, Coast Plaza Doctors Hospital,
Dr. and Mrs. Bruno Imparato, Vicenti Lloyd & Stutzman, Waltham USA, Inc.
and Wells Fargo.
Tickets to “”A Tribute to Caring”” are $225 per person. For more
information, contact Western University’s Special Events Department at
(909) 469-5365.
