Tuesday, October 28, 1997
Breast cancer center director settles into job
CANCER CENTER Helena Chang hopes to translate research findings
to servicable clinical practices
By Kathryn Combs
Daily Bruin Contributor
When you walk into Dr. Helena Chang’s office you’ll find her
surrounded by boxes. While this may not be the atmosphere that
traditionally produces excellence in medicine, this doesn’t stop
her from giving her all to both the UCLA/Revlon Breast Center and
its patients.
Three weeks ago, Dr. Chang was appointed as new director of the
UCLA/Revlon Breast Center, after a year-long search. Three weeks
into the job, she says she’s optimistic about what she’ll be able
to accomplish.
"I accepted the directorship of the Revlon/UCLA Breast Cancer
center because it has what I see as the most advanced, successful
program of its kind in the nation," Chang said.
Chang was both an associate professor of surgery and
pathobiology and a resident surgeon at Brown University. She moved
across the country to work at the UCLA Breast Center, which was
formed only in 1994 to help individuals deal with issues such as
breast cancer and related diseases.
"It has all the potential to grow and develop into a national
model," she said.
Chang’s vision for the center includes translating research
findings into clinical practices in an effective and timely
manner.
Chang is also a nationally renowned researcher, in a field where
the survival rate for the disease is down around 60 percent.
"My research interests in breast cancer are to generate
antibodies to combat cancer-causing proteins in breast cancer and
to develop vaccines," Chang said.
"I’m really into my research," said Chang.
Change, who moved to the West Coast with one daughter (the other
is a student at Princeton University), stresses the personal aspect
of her work.
"I walk into my practice as a female oncologist," Chang said.
"Most of the patients that I look after are female, and the more
prevalent female malignancy is breast cancer."
Preceded by Dr. Susan Love, a nationally renowned breast cancer
specialist and author, Chang has some large shoes to fill.
"The breast center has really been strong for a while now," said
Sherry Goldman, nurse practitioner with the UCLA/Revlon Breast
Center.
"Susan left a lot here. (However) I think that Dr. Chang will
greatly enhance the growth of the breast center," she said.
Overall, her transition to UCLA seems to have been a positive
experience for those she works with.
"I am so pleased that she is patient-oriented," said Mary
Brickhouse, an administrator for the Center. "You always worry when
someone new is coming on board (but) Helena is a perfect fit."
"For me she’s got the three big strengths that the center needs.
She’s good with patients, she interested in team development, she’s
a fabulous surgeon and she is a nationally recognized surgeon,"
Brickhouse said.
"She’d really got it all in one package."
According to Brickhouse, the patients are also impressed with
Chang’s expertise.
"When she started seeing patients, we had her booked solid.
Everyone of those patients were impressed with her," she said.
"The patients really feel as though they are the focus of her
attention," Brickhouse added.
"I don’t see patients as numbers or cases (but) rather I see
them as persons," Chang said.
"Every patient is special to me and I think it really makes me
enjoy my profession."