A Different Perspective

Claudia Ogburn DPh, MS, exhibits the heart of a servant, not just to her friends and faith community, but also in her job as the pharmacy director at LeConte Medical Center where she helps patients receive healing and comfort through the medicine she dispenses.

But when Ogburn became a breast cancer patient earlier this year, the tables turned. Suddenly, she was the one in need of care. For Ogburn, it was an eye-opening experience.

With a family history of breast cancer, Ogburn had always been vigilant about scheduling annual mammograms at LeConte Medical Center. After her appointment in January, she got the news no woman wants to hear; abnormal results in her mammogram.

Ogburn was quickly launched into the full spectrum of care at LCMC. It began with an ultrasound and biopsy at the LeConte Comprehensive Breast Center and an MRI from the hospital’s imaging department. Ogburn learned she had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which is cancer in the cells that line the milk ducts of the breast. Surgery was on the horizon.

From screening to surgery

Her visits to see surgeon Jeffery King, MD, FACS, were also in the LeConte Medical Center complex. In his office, Ogburn learned more about her cancer and her options. Dr. King recalls how Ogburn’s thoughts were focused on how to tackle the disease head-on so she could quickly get back to working and serving the people of Sevier County,” Dr. King says.

With input and guidance from Dr. King, plus the multi-disciplinary team which included her radiologist, oncologist, and surgeon, (which is typical for a breast cancer patient), Ogburn chose a bilateral mastectomy at LeConte Medical Center. Just three weeks after her mammogram, Ogburn was at home recovering. A little later she returned to work with a new perspective.

Taking the patient’s place

Being in the care of her coworkers was a humbling experience, and it made Ogburn even more aware of the importance of Covenant Health’s pledge to put patients first. It was something she saw every step of the way in her treatment, and something she’s even more committed to today.

Ogburn also recommends LeConte Medical Center, not just because she works at the hospital, but because she’s seen, firsthand, the level of care there.

 “Everybody was so good to me, and you don’t realize how much that means until you’re on the other side of the procedure,” Ogburn says.

Dr. King deflects the praise, and says he’s just glad to have Ogburn back at work.

“I’m so happy to see her doing so well after her treatment,” Dr. King says. “It has been a pleasure to take care of such a selfless, caring, dedicated member of our medical community.”

Convenient location, close to home

The LeConte Comprehensive Breast Center is an accredited Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR), a distinction shared by only 31 mammogram facilities in Tennessee.

The Center is located inside the Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services on the LeConte Medical Center campus, 740 Middle Creek Road, Suite 106 in Sevierville.

Visit LeConteMedicalCenter.com/breastcenter or call 865-446-8000 to schedule your appointment (a physician’s referral is not necessary for screening mammograms). “Paint the Mountains Pink,” a program offered through the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, offers free screening mammograms for financially eligible Sevier County women. Learn more at LeConteMedicalCenter.com/pink.