b'We are embedded in this community,Dr. Magrinat explains.When I see a patient, they are my neighbor. They are part of myeven though this is a large medical community, it is very collegial community. Its not thishere. Everyone works together.way with other health systems. We just feelGus explains what happens when a patient finds out that she has different about ourbreast cancer.We bring every case before a multidisciplinary conferencemore than 20 surgeons, radiation oncologists, patients.Theyre medical oncologists, also geneticists, pharmacologists, our pathologists and radiologists. A general plan is proposed. The patient then comes to the breast cancer clinic where her case people. is again reviewed by her individual team, now including a social worker, a nutritionist and a physical therapist. From there, the patient sits in a room while her doctors and team members rotate through. The surgeon discusses surgical options. The radiation oncologist explains the technicalities of radiation.The medical oncologist reviews hormonal or chemotherapy or targeted therapies. And so on. A patients nurse navigator will guide them during the course of treatment.By the time the patient leaves the clinic, she is in control, Gus says. She knows exactly what the plan is and is ready to imple-ment it.It isnt rare for patients to arrive at the clinic in tears and to leave here laughing. And that is really the way it ought to be.So, just imagine, Mary interjects. When youre overwhelmed with your diagnosis and youre worried about what will happen to your family and your job, just how incredibly helpful that is.She experienced cancer decades ago, but Mary remembers the feeling well. You would insist that we take a walk before I had treatment, do you remember? she asks her husband. It was a difficult time. But wed go for a walk and nature strengthened me. The trees and the sky would bring me back to earth, to a calmness and peace that I craved in the midst of anxiety.The healing power of nature was among the factors that moti-vated Mary to create the Healing Gardens. Its a magical place, she says. I really believe with my heart that nature promotes healing. Its a feature that she believes goes hand-in-hand with Cone Healths commitment to delivering empathetic care.This cancer center is a people-centered place.A place where Dr. Magrinat insisted on 30-minute appointments with patients. Where he took time to explain things and teach his patients so that they could participate in decision-making about their own health. Where he listened and learned their stories.In addition to caring for my patients, I just really like them.You know he means it. You can see it in his eyes. Theyre fun and theyre interesting and each one is different. You find out the most amazing things about your patients when you get to know them.Thats the thing about the Magrinats and the way they care. We have our own note to write. One of gratitude and respect. A thank you. A job well done. But never a goodbye. Well be seeing Gus and Mary in our offices and our halls and in our gardens.the giving effect 2022-235'