Breast cancer surgery can save a woman’s life. And with new advances, surgery doesn’t necessarily mean leaving scars behind that serve as a visible reminder of cancer.
Tucson Medical Center is a Hidden Scar Center, with demonstrated expertise in surgical techniques that minimize scarring while retaining effective oncologic results.
Through Hidden Scar, surgeons make incisions in a location that’s harder to see so the scar is less visible. Advanced tools and technology make it easier for surgeons to make small incisions and reduce the risk of complications, all while keeping as much healthy breast tissue as possible.
“It’s important to me to individualize the care my patients receive,” said breast surgical oncologist Michele Boyce Ley. “For many women, scars do matter. They can impact clothing choices, self-confidence, self-esteem, intimacy, and other important factors of daily life. Through Hidden Scar techniques, women can have surgical treatment that not only offers the best clinical outcomes, but provides the best aesthetic outcome as well.”
One option to consider is whether a nipple sparing mastectomy might be appropriate. “This technology facilitates preservation of the nipple for a more natural appearance after mastectomy,” said Boyce Ley, a fellow-ship trained surgeon.
Because every cancer is different, it’s important to discuss options with your physician and surgeon, based on the size and location of the tumor.
“Sometimes, we need a creative solution; I take a lot of pride in finding the solution that best matches the needs of each patient,” said Boyce Ley.
Hummus is available in almost any grocery store, and you can find it in a variety of flavors. However, not everyone is a fan of garbanzo beans or tahini or some of the other common hummus ingredients. Making your own bean spread allows you to customize it to your preferences, and it saves a little money.
I love celebrating Halloween with my family, but I must admit I feel like I’m holding my breath all evening. Like many Tucson neighborhoods, ours has few street lights and on Oct. 31, kids are EVERYWHERE, often in dark costumes, often zigzagging across the roads to trick or treat. It’s a safety nightmare! Did you know that children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year?
Health care industry leaders face incredible challenges in shifting from traditional, volume-driven fee-for-service to value-based care.
Having old medications lying around puts children, teens and even pets at risk from inappropriately ingesting them.
Engaged voters are fundamental to a healthy community and a healthy democracy.
Medical advances have now allowed us to identify whether patients with certain inherited gene mutations have an increased risk of breast cancer.
Physical therapists work hard to help patients improve their range of motion, strength and flexibility so they can lead their most active lives and obtain better outcomes.
It should come as no surprise that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is part of a healthy diet. The more vegetables and fruit you eat, the less likely you are to develop cardiovascular disease, age-related eye diseases, osteoporosis and some types of cancer. What does seem to be surprising to many is how easy it is to incorporate vegetables and fruit into our diets. We often hear one of these comments as the reason someone is not eating enough vegetables and fruit:
We eat with our eyes – color and variety make a plate of food look more enticing. Keep this in mind when you are trying to persuade yourself or your family to eat more vegetables and fruit. Not only does variety prevent boredom, it also ensures that your body gets a full spectrum of nutrients. Different types and colors of foods provide different vitamins, minerals and other plant compounds that enable your body to perform its everyday functions and prevent disease. Add produce that is in season or locally grown is likely to be fresher and more flavorful, and generally it is more cost effective.
From cooler temperatures to pumpkin pie, we welcome many things that come with the fall season, but the flu is not one of them. 
Yesika Martinez looks into her future and dreams that she will someday serve others as a nurse or a counselor.
Bed rest can be a stressful time for parents while they wait days and weeks to see if their little one will arrive before term.
Three of the four finalists – and the winner of the category – for the most ambitious idea generators work in Unit 750, an adult medical unit. Unit clerk Amy Hill, who came to TMC six years ago, won a reserved parking space for a month.
Amy Ramsey, TMC’s employee wellness and engagement manager shares some favorite Tucson hikes. 
Safe Kids Pima County and FedEx volunteers will join students from Whitmore Elementary and around the county to celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 4. International Walk to School Day raises community awareness about walking safety and promoting healthy behavior.
Tucson Medical Center is honored to be recognized by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tucson as the 2017 Southeast Arizona Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador of Excellence, for going above and beyond the call of duty to help the NWS build a Weather Ready Nation.
The ambassador initiative recognizes leaders in the community that help build community resilience in the face of extreme weather events – from promoting safety messages in outreach activities, to being a “weather-ready” role model.
Tucson Medical Center has been named “Best Hospital” in the Arizona Daily Star’s 2017 Readers’ choice awards.
A few years ago, elementary school teacher Monica Bermudez had seen one too many students pull out tortilla chips or candy for their snacks – or worse, lunch.
She coaches Girls on the Run, a youth development program that teaches life skills and culminates in a 5k run to build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
For six years Jawna Stickney has helped mamas welcome their babies into the world at Tucson Medical Center. When it came to her first child she had no doubt where she was going to give birth, “I had that peace of mind and that trust that comes from working with the staff at Tucson Medical Center” … “I would never deliver at any other hospital.”
Tucson Medical Center was certified as a great workplace in early September by the independent analysts at Great Place to Work®.
Did you know there is a week dedicated to honoring our canine companions? National Dog Week is the last full week in September and we’re taking time out, in advance, to observe National Dog Week and look at the health benefits of pets.
Katie Keating can run a marathon, 26.2 miles, in 3 hours and 3 minutes. During graduate school she investigated what the universe is made of, literally! Her studies centered on the interactions among galaxies. So, when it came to having a baby, Katie applied the same level of dedication and effort to preparation as she did to her running and academic studies.
Tucson Medical Center made a commitment to its employees’ health four years ago: With the opening of new surgical suites in the tower, the previous operating room space was converted into an employee gym.
wellness activities, their ability to inspire others and their ability to serve as role models across TMC, Ramsey said.
There are seniors in your area who are waiting for a visit right now.
September 10 – 16 is 
Hard to say, hard to hear
“When survivors share their experiences, people will hear that suicide is not a selfish act,” she said. “Rather, people hear just how intensely someone was suffering, how they truly felt hopeless and believed they were a burden to all around them.”
The Tucson Out of the Darkness Community Walk is open to all, and free to attend. “This is a way to honor the memories of those we have lost to suicide, and the best way to start discussions and spread awareness,” said Sarah. “Join us!”
Why do you need a primary care provider?
If you’ve spent much time flying you’ve probably heard suggestions to avoid developing deep vein thrombosis, “Get up! Walk around. Do some squats.” But what is deep vein thrombosis? If you never fly do you have nothing to worry about? And how do we test and treat DVT?
Nancy Spiller left home at 17, just out of high school, armed with little more than her diploma and some experience working as a volunteer candy striper.
TMC was a very different place then; small compared to today’s campus. A cart that wheeled from room to room served as the gift shop. Vending machines, not a cafeteria, stocked food. Laboring mothers were just screened off from one another with privacy curtains. Calls came in on old operator switchboards.
Tucson Medical Center this week celebrated new employees here from out of state, wrapping up a month of hiring 130 people. Since January, TMC hires have come from 26 different states.
Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, who was born at TMC, credited the hospital with being a strong community partner. “You should know you’ll have great and meaningful opportunities to connect with the community and to connect to things that are good in this community,” he said.
TMC’s Vice President of Human Resources, Alex Horvath, shared that after moving here from Chicago, he was stunned to find people at a local retailer one day urging him to move ahead in the express lane. “I found myself standing at the front of the line and it occurred to me, well, this is Tucson. You don’t find that everywhere.”
Meet Ashley Marcolin, registered vascular technologist at TMC and one of six RVTs that perform vascular screening exams at TMC. Ashley is the newest addition to the team, but manager Sarah Yeager reports Ashley reflects the kindness, compassion and empathy typical of the whole team.
Longtime employee, Dorothy “Popcorn Kid” Lietha, who is retiring after 43 years, made a difference kernel by kernel.
A stroke. Vision loss. A serious ulcer. Congenital arthritis. Knee and hip replacements. The past few years have not been a bed of roses for Lucille Luna. But, the series of wearing health challenges have only invigorated the exuberant spirit of the 76-year-old, who makes time to show her appreciation for the medical professionals who helped her.
she’s survived a stroke and a very serious lower-abdomen ulcer. “Dr. Kisso said my ulcer was the size of a football.”
“If someone does a good deed for me, I want to do a good deed for them, and TMC did so much for me,” Luna said.
Tucson Medical Center has long believed in the power of surroundings in helping patients feel better.
Youth on Their Own, a nonprofit dropout prevention agency supporting homeless youth in their goals of graduating from high school, did not have a functional space to hold youth events, host Board meetings or engage donors in providing critical services for vulnerable youth.
In addition to financial support, TMC lent the skills of Construction Supervisor Shawn Cole as project manager. Cole has known of the organization’s work for a long time and appreciates the help it provides.
If you’re planning to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, do it safely.
Dr. Chetanbabu Patel returned to Tucson in June and joined the TMCOne location on 2380 N. Ferguson, across the street from the TMC main campus. 
Each endocrine challenge is as unique as each human body and what works for one child may not work for another, which can frustrate parents and the patient. Dr. Patel says empathy is an important part of the care provided at his clinic.
Summertime brings vacations, warm weather and great food. The TMC and 
For an adult beverage, try light beer, a glass of red wine or liquor mixed with water or diet soda.
Even as Gov. Ducey declared a public health state of emergency regarding the misuse and abuse of opioids, physicians practicing at Tucson Medical Center were already working to minimize the use of opioids for patients recovering from surgery.
With local utilities recently warning customers of apparent phone scams in which payment is demanded over the phone, Tucson Medical Center is urging community members to be cautious in responding to such inquiries.
Congratulations to Sheila Marquez, an anatomy teacher at Tucson High Magnet School, who finished her third summer working at Tucson Medical Center as part of the business-education partnership known as Teachers in Industry.