Virtua Impressions 2018

9 “ Rizzieri says he and his team aim to comfort the patients they serve, describing the boutique as “a place where they can come in with their families, have their head shaved, cry with someone and hold their hand, and then be able to have a wig, a wrap or whatever they need to get them through one of the toughest times in their lives.” Equally committed to supporting cancer patients are the physicians at Regional Cancer Care Associates (RCCA), a multistate oncology practice whose Mount Holly office is currently housed inVirtua Memorial Hospital and whose physicians provide cancer care to patients at Virtua.The physicians at RCCA recently made a generous $250,000 gift toVirtua Foundation’s Power to Heal campaign to support the new Cancer Center Hair Boutique, which will be named the Regional Cancer Care Associates Hair Boutique. Cancer affects many aspects of a person’s health, both physically and psychologically,” says Seth Berk, MD, a hematologist/oncologist with RCCA. “There is no one particular emotion that describes everyone’s cancer experience. I’ve had patients who prefer to walk around bald because it makes them feel empowered. Others fear and mourn their loss of hair.” Dr. Berk says he and his RCCA colleagues appreciate that Rizzieri stylists will support patients in leading the way in determining their own needs, whether they choose to wear a bandana, a wig or no head covering at all. “What hair loss represents to patients differs on an individual level and speaks to the complexity of their personalities.Whatever helps them feel a sense of control over their situation, we stand behind.” When the Samson Cancer Center opens this fall, RCCA’s office will move into the new space. Contributing to a hair boutique that will undoubtedly end up serving many of its patients was an easy decision for RCCA, a practice with a history of philanthropy both within and outside of the Virtua system. “Partnering withVirtua and Rizzieri seemed like a perfect, natural alignment of interests in supporting our patients in any way that we can,” Dr. Berk says, noting that the hematology/oncology practice that ultimately evolved into RCCA has ties toVirtua that date back more than 50 years—and that those deep roots also inspired the group’s recent gift. “RCCA’s agenda is to support the hospital’s mission of providing high quality, cost-efficient care in a compassionate manner to theVirtua community. We are all on the same page, andVirtua has viewed RCCA as a key partner in its cancer program for years,” Dr. Berk says. “The way I see it, this hair boutique is poised to play an important part in the comprehensive cancer patient care team.” Virtua Foundation is sincerely grateful for the generosity of Frank Rizzieri and Rizzieri Salons & Spa, all of the supporters who helped make the “You Are Beautiful” event a resounding success, and for all of the physicians and staff at Regional Cancer Care Associates for their long-standing commitment to providing patients with high quality cancer care! To learn more about the Cancer Center Hair Boutique and ways you can contribute, visit Foundation.Virtua.org/Rizzieri.