This story orginally appeared in Input Fort Wayne.
Dr. Lauren Kopicky’s medical training took her a lot of places – Pennsylvania, San Diego, upstate New York, Detroit. She could have landed almost anywhere, but she chose Fort Wayne.
The Parkview Cancer Institute (PCI) breast surgeon says it is good to finally be “settled” and she already feels at home.
“The people here are very friendly. Being from the Midwest I can appreciate just how nice the people here really are,” the Dayton, Ohio, native said.
Since arriving in October, she hasn’t yet had much time to experience everything Fort Wayne has to offer. Thanks to the pandemic, her best option to explore the city has been cycling on the trail system, which she’s thoroughly enjoyed.
But it was much more than the amenities that drew her here. It was the opportunity to be a part of the team at PCI.
When it opened in 2018, PCI was more than just a new building along I-69 – it was a unique way of approaching cancer care. As a multi-disciplinary practice, PCI brings nearly everyone and everything a patient needs under one roof. It’s a collaborative environment where providers work together to create an individualized care plan for each patient.
“In my osteopathic training, it has been deeply ingrained in me to focus on treating the whole person: mind, body and spirit … breast cancer is a unique journey that a person goes through, and I want to use my skill set to personally accompany all of my patients on that journey,” she said.
One example of that comprehensive approach is the weekly PCI tumor board meeting, where all breast care providers meet to evaluate patient treatment plans.
“We have a robust group discussion to ensure that each patient has been offered the optimal care plan … Not everybody’s breast cancer is the same, so naturally not everybody’s treatment will be the same,” Dr. Kopicky explained.
Dr. Linda Han, one of the physicians who helped recruit Dr. Kopicky to PCI, said she was a great fit with the patient-centered care model.
“At PCI, our physicians not only have to be experts in cancer care but also have essential qualities that align with our culture of working together as a team, focused on the best care for our patients,” Dr. Han said. “Dr. Kopicky’s professionalism, empathy and dedication to improving the lives of our breast cancer patients are the reasons why we feel fortunate to have her as part of our PCI team.”
When it’s safe to get out more, Dr. Kopicky will get to see all that Fort Wayne has to offer. For now, she’s happy to see all the friendly Midwesterners who come to PCI.
“Coming back [to the Midwest] is just refreshing,” she said.
