Latest news with #UniversityofMiamiHealthSystem
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
This 25-year-old survived breast cancer. Now, she's dealing with menopause.
Alexis Klimpl felt an itch. So, like anyone else, she went to scratch it. But her fingers curled around something else. A massive lump on her right breast. About a year ago, the now 25-year-old was laying in bed with her boyfriend and immediately shot up. Her face dropped. "What?" he asked, naively. "There's literally a lump on my boob," she said. They felt it – maybe it's a bone? It was hard. But if it were a bone, could you move it around in a circle? Was it a cyst? A benign lump? Or ... Breast cancer. Maybe it's breast cancer. At 24 years old. The diagnosis that affects more than 300,000 women each year in the U.S. More than 40,000 women die of it every year. Klimpl is one of the 300,000 – and one of a growing number of women under 40 diagnosed with breast cancer in recent years. But she's now also one of the 4 million survivors living in the U.S., too. Breast cancer treatment and side effects, including menopause Klimpl lives in San Diego but is a Hawaii native. She's at peace in the water and loves to surf. A beach trip to Indonesia she'd been planning was scheduled for a few days after first feeling that lump. With the travel planned, the money spent, she pressed on. The lump grew and grew. Once she returned, diagnostics confirmed it. Her doctor had a difficult time telling her, trying to reassure her and explaining it was very rare. "She kept looking at my mom more so than me, as if she was the patient," Klimpl says. "It's still relatively uncommon," says Dr. Eric Winer, director of the Yale Cancer Center, of breast cancer in young people, "but it is a concern that it's going up at all, and that, of course, is not because of screening, because we don't screen young patients like this, and we don't really understand the cause." Mammography alone for younger women under 40 may not be as effective due to denser breast tissue. But why are multiple cancers increasing in young people? No one knows for sure. "The increased incidence of breast cancer and the early onset is a serious concern and is likely multi-factorial," says Dr. Carmen Calfa, breast oncologist and medical co-director of the Survivorship Cancer Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Health System. "We need to make every effort to understand all risks factors (including genetics) and modify those that are modifiable." Klimpl collapsed in that patient room after receiving her diagnosis; she had already gone through enough grief after losing her father to bile duct cancer in 2017. "All I could think about was how he was feeling, and how people similar to that feel, and what goes through their mind," she says, recalling his terminal illness. But Klimpl wasn't terminal. She had triple positive breast cancer, meaning her tumor cells included estrogen, progesterone and a higher number of HER2 receptors. This kind of cancer would be receptive to hormone therapy, and it was only stage 2. Not the earliest stage, but not the worst. Consultations with a plastic surgeon, radiologist and oncologist followed. Freezing her eggs was a priority because chemotherapy could ruin her chances of fertility and natural birth. She laments the process – injections aimed at growing your ovaries to produce more eggs. You look like you're pregnant, mood swings rattle your brain, the emotional toll. Poking, prodding, blood draw after blood draw. Cheotherapy (Taxotere and Carboplatin) and hormone drugs (Herceptin and Perjeta) came next, as well as cold capping to try to preserve her hair. Nausea consumed her during treatment. "I'm already a nauseous person, but this nausea was like the type that runs through your bones and your veins, like you just feel it everywhere, and no matter how many meds they give you. Nothing really helps," she says. A bad rash also dotted her face which depleted her self-esteem. She isolated herself to protect her immune system and grew stir-crazy. Plus, "I was losing my mind a little bit, not being able to be in the water." The medicines are indeed toxic, but incredible considering where scientists were decades ago. "We now think of breast cancer as being really a family of diseases, and we're able to name different types of breast cancer, all of which receive very different treatment," Winer says. "So our treatment is much more targeted, it's much more sophisticated." It's better to have more choices than fewer. "It's good for the patient, because the knowledge that we gained over three decades is really significant," says Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, director of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. Surgery followed to removed her tumor and lymph nodes followed by a double mastectomy; even though she didn't have the BRCA or other breast cancer genes, she craved certainty. Now, she's on a hormone blocker likely for the next decade and going through menopause. For a 25-year-old going through it, resources are scarce. "With the menopause, the side effects are bone pain, hair loss, mood swings," she says. "So they're all pretty manageable, but that's just what it comes with." Anyone concerned about menopause symptoms after breast cancer can check out American Cancer Society tips. Klimpl's body will return to normal once she stops the hormone blocker and she can get pregnant if she so chooses. "I won't know if I'm able to carry my own baby until I try," she says, "There's nothing I want more than that, so I'm crossing my fingers for when the day comes." She's found connection on social media with others in similar situations, and that's encouraged her to speak out. But more than anything right now, she's been excited to surf. Breast cancer tips: 'If you feel a lump, don't ignore it' Anyone concerned about breast cancer should talk to health care providers and/or look for reputable information from sources like the American Cancer Society, and consider taking the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool. Calfa is glad Klimpl sought care. "If you feel a lump, don't ignore it," she says. "If someone says 'you are too young to have breast cancer,' please don't stop until your concerns (and) symptoms are fully and thoroughly evaluated." And remember, too, that "for patients who have stage 1 or stage 2 or 3 breast cancer, the goal of treatment is to get them to a state where they're cancer-free and hopefully they're never going to hear from that cancer again," Winer says. "Depending on a variety of prognostic features, we know that some people are at lower or greater risk of having a recurrence of breast cancer." And, "because of ongoing research and developments, even women with advanced cancer can live many many years with an excellent quality of life," adds Dr. Dawn Hershman, deputy director of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University. Klimpl recently went to visit Hawaii and swam for the first time in the ocean since right before starting chemotherapy. A full-circle moment for her. The warm water on her skin, in her hair, letting go of worries. Grief overwhelmed her. "One of the things that made me feel closer to my dad was surfing and being in the water," she says, "because he's the one that taught me how to do all of that. And so I've had a really big disconnect, um, this past year from him, without being able to do that." When she finally surfed again in San Diego, a week or so later, goosebumps overwhelmed her body. The sun came out after clouds had covered the sky for weeks. "Interesting timing," she says. "Maybe it was my dad shining down?"
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dr. Juan Pablo Umaña Joins the Miller School and UHealth as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery
MIAMI, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miller School of Medicine and UHealth – University of Miami Health System welcome Juan Pablo Umaña, M.D., an internationally recognized leader in cardiovascular surgery, as professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, effective June 2. Known for his pioneering contributions to aortic and mitral valve repair, Dr. Umaña brings not only surgical excellence but also a deep commitment to patient-centered care. Dr. Umaña established the most extensive aortic and mitral valve repair program in Latin America and founded the Latin-American Cardiovascular Surgery Conference. His arrival at the University of Miami signals an exciting new chapter for the institution's cardiovascular program. "The University of Miami offers the ideal platform to pursue a lifelong vision — to build a world-class cardiovascular program focused not just on innovation, but on patients," Dr. Umaña said. "While UM is already recognized as a center of excellence for mitral valve surgery, there's an extraordinary opportunity to grow an aortic surgery program and create an integrated, collaborative hub for cardiovascular care." "We are pleased to welcome someone of Dr. Umaña's caliber to the UHealth team," added Dipen J. Parekh, M.D., chief executive officer of UHealth and founding director of the Desai Sethi Urology Institute. "His expertise, commitment to innovation, and focus on training will elevate every aspect of our cardiovascular surgery program." A Life of Learning and Leadership Dr. Umaña earned his medical degree from the University of El Rosario in Bogotá, Colombia. He deepened his expertise through social service and research in England before completing advanced surgical training at Columbia University in New York City and Stanford University in California. His leadership at Fundación Cardioinfantil – Instituto de Cardiología transformed it into one of Latin America's premier cardiovascular centers. Most recently, he chaired the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Florida. With more than 150 scientific publications and presentations, Dr. Umaña is a leading voice in global cardiovascular research. He was the co-inventor of the MitraClip, the first transcatheter mitral valve repair device used in clinical practice today, which allows the mitral valve to be repaired without opening the chest. Read full press release. Link to Dr. Umaña's professional headshot. View original content: SOURCE University of Miami Health System
Miami Herald
18-06-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Medical miracles? How healthcare is changing in Miami with new hubs and cures
Health Care Medical miracles? How healthcare is changing in Miami with new hubs and cures This collection of stories highlights Miami's evolving healthcare landscape through innovative medical hubs and cutting-edge treatments. In Miami, the University of Miami Health System expanded into Doral, offering advanced primary and specialty care services in a growing medical hub. Meanwhile, Nicklaus Children's Hospital launched a new surgical tower featuring robotics and virtual reality for intricate pediatric surgeries. Elsewhere, a Miami teacher's recovery from a stroke showcases a breakthrough nerve stimulation device at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The Vivistim Paired VNS System facilitates arm and hand movement recovery in stroke survivors, enhancing rehabilitation outcomes. Read the stories below. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. NO. 1: A STROKE CHANGED A MIAMI TEACHER'S LIFE. HOW A NEW ELECTRICAL DEVICE IS HELPING HER MOVE What to know about how it works. | Published November 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante Nurses train to use the equipment of the operating room in the new Kenneth C. Griffin surgical tower at Nicklaus Children's Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Miami, Fla. The operating rooms of the new building are 800 square feet and among the biggest in the country. NO. 2: 'HOSPITAL WITHIN A HOSPITAL.' NICKLAUS CHILDREN'S OPENS NEW SURGERY HUB WITH SPECIAL TECH Here's what we know | Published November 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante An external view of the new UHealth Doral Medical Center during its grand opening event on Thursday, November 21, 2024. By Alexia Fodere NO. 3: A GROWING MEDICAL HUB IS CHANGING HEALTHCARE IN MIAMI. WHAT'S DRIVING THE NEW PUSH? 'Every major system is expanding. The whole area is hot now.' | Published March 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michelle Marchante The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Miami Herald
05-06-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
What patients can expect from the new leader of a South Florida hospital system
The University of Miami Health System has a new leader. Dr. Dipen Parekh, a surgeon who led the hospital system through the COVID-19 pandemic, will now serve as UHealth's chief executive officer and UM's executive vice president for Health Affairs. As UHealth CEO, Parekh will oversee the more than 17,500 employees who work across the hospital system at more than 100 facilities, including Bascom Palmer Institute, the nation's top hospital for opthalmology, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in South Florida. The urologic oncologist wants UM to 'push the frontiers of research.' That goal may be challenging at a time when more than 1,000 research grants in the country have been terminated by the federal government, according to a database created by two scientists documenting the terminations and as reported by STAT News. Parekh also sees more AI in the future of healthcare in South Florida. 'The demand for our services is increasing every day, and our responsibility is to meet that demand without compromising the excellence that defines UHealth,' Parekh told the Miami Herald Wednesday in an email. 'To do so, we must continue to improve how patients access our care—whether that's through new locations, more efficient systems, or advanced technologies. Artificial intelligence will play a key role in this effort. 'AI holds tremendous promise in helping us make smarter decisions, improve outcomes, and enhance the experience for both patients and providers.' UM's Board of Trustees unanimously agreed this week to promote Parekh, UHealth's chief operating officer and a longtime urology chair at UM's medical school, to CEO. The surgeon will takes over the top job from Joseph Echevarria, who since 2024 has juggled the jobs of UM and UHealth president and UHealth CEO. Echevarria will remain president. Parekh considers expansion to be one of the health system's greatest challenges — and opportunities — and has played a key role in UHealth's recent push into North Miami-Dade and Doral, one of South Florida's hottest growing medical hubs. Like other health systems, UHealth is trying to bring care closer to patients, a strategy to not only improve access to care, but to also attract and retain patients and employees. 'Dipen has played a pivotal role each step of the way as the University of Miami Health System has grown into one of the top academic medical centers in the country,' Echevarria said in a statement. 'He understands the mission —from the operating room to the classroom to the boardroom — and he embodies the excellence we strive to deliver for our patients, students, and community.' Who is UHealth's new CEO? UHealth is now the second hospital system in South Florida to be currently led by a physician. The veteran surgeon, one of UM's highest paid employees, has performed more than 6,000 robotic urologic cancer surgeries and has published more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, including a 'groundbreaking trial, published in The Lancelet in 2018, which established the efficacy of robotic-assisted surgery for bladder cancer,' according to the university. Parekh joined UM's medical school in 2012 as the chair of urology and is also the founding director of the Desai Seithi Urology Institute. He became chief clinical officer, his first system-wide administrative role, in 2017, before becoming chief operating officer in 2020, when COVID struck and hospitals became overwhelmed with sick patients. Besides being tasked with overseeing UHealth's day-to-day operations, Parekh in 2021 was also made executive dean for clinical affairs at UM's Miller School of Medicine. Becker's Hospital Review named him among the top 60 academic health system COO's to know in 2024. The private university declined to reveal is new salary. For years, UHealth has been the only academic health system in South Florida although that will change once Baptist Health South Florida finalizes the process of becoming the future teaching hospital of Florida International University. FIU has tapped Nicklaus Children's Health System to be its pediatric teaching hospital. UHealth's teaching hospital is Jackson Memorial, part of Miami-Dade's public hospital network. At UM's medical school and health system, researchers have long tackled infectious diseases, cancer treatments and therapies, Alzheimer's, dementia, genetic diseases and many other conditions. The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis is working with Elon Musk's startup company Neuralink to test whether its brain chip can give people who are paralyzed the ability to use mind to wirelessly control computers, smartphones and other electronic devices. 'Our role as an academic health system is not just to care for patients, but to lead in innovation, discovery, and training the next generation of healthcare leaders,' said Parekh, who plans to keep caring for patients while serving as CEO. 'That's what sets us apart — and that's what we'll continue to build on.'
