Breast Care Center in Trenton Celebrates Name Change

The breast care center at the Oakwood Southshore Medical Center will be named after a longtime downriver resident, thanks to a $500,000 gift for breast care equipment, staffing and community outreach.

The ribbon on the Karen Colina Wilson Smithbauer Breast Care Center was cut on July 23 in Trenton, Mich. Smithbauer, an eight year breast cancer survivor and a business leader in southeast Michigan, founded The Karen Colina Wilson Foundation in 2007.

“Karen’s interest in transformational leadership, her compassionate view of the world and desire to become involved for the ‘greater good’ makes her one of our most valued allies,” said Carla O’Malley, Executive Director and President of the Oakwood Healthcare Foundation, “We are honored to have her passionate voice representing women’s causes.”

The gift will give the breast care center the ability to provide patients with the option to get digital mammograms, a process that uses less radiation than traditional mammography methods and improves image storage, transmission and interpretation.

“Women’s healthcare can go to a higher level, and Oakwood can provide that Center that can meet the needs of women in every aspect of their care,” said Smithbauer. “These women need resources, they need to have people they can talk to, they need reassurance, and they need to have whatever they need at that point in their life.”

Oakwood also recognized Women Celebrating Life Downriver for making a generous gift supporting “Free Mammogram Days,” a community outreach initiative that provides free mammograms for women who are at least 40 years of age, have no health insurance and are considered a “screening patient” without active breast disease.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, with 1 in every 8 diagnosed each year. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.  Regular screening is essential to early detection, with a 96% survival rate.