Lasting Impressions
Guthrie’s Grateful Patient and Family Program
At the heart of Guthrie's mission is compassion, and we work each day to provide the highest-quality, compassionate care when and where needed. From your doctor to your nurse to your housekeeper or your appointment scheduler, caring for the health of the people of our community is our life's work. At the heart of our mission is you.
You may have seen that care demonstrated when in your time of fear, your caregiver shared an encouraging word, held your hand when you were in pain, or shared your joy at receiving good news. These simple acts of kindness and concern leave lasting impressions.
Many patients and families look for a way to give back. With your gift of gratitude, you have the opportunity to recognize your exceptional care and help future patients like you.
Why Give
Your gift in honor of your caregiver does much more than say "thank you." Contributions help ensure that your family, friends, and neighbors experience high-quality, compassionate care when and where they need it.
A gift today makes a lasting impact on our community's health and well-being.
Give Today
The Power of the Positive: Mary Jane’s Cancer Journey
During her career, retired mammography technologist Mary Jane Pryslopski performed countless mammograms. But when she had a mammogram last February, the process turned out to be anything but routine. After the initial scan, additional imaging and a biopsy were ordered.
Mary Jane knew what that meant. “Having been a mammography tech, I told the team I wanted to know right away if it was cancer,” she says.
Mary Jane was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, a rare form of cancer with limited treatment options that accounts for 10% to 15% of all breast cancers. Her family – husband Jerry, daughter Amy, and son Chris – were the first people she told.
“I allowed myself one day for a pity party before looking only for the positive,” she says. “After all, cancer isn’t a death sentence anymore.”
When an MRI revealed that the tumor was larger than anticipated, Mary Jane weighed her treatment options and decided on a mastectomy. “I had an aggressive cancer,” she says. “I wanted an aggressive treatment.” She underwent chemotherapy before surgery due to the tumor’s size.
Through chemo, surgery, and recovery, Mary Jane’s family, friends, and faith kept her going. “My husband Jerry was my rock,” she says. “When it was time to shave my head, my son Chris provided the clippers. I also had so many people praying for me, and prayers are powerful.”
She is also deeply thankful for the members of her medical team at Guthrie – M. Firdos Ziauddin, MD, Breast Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist; Elizabeth Werner, MD, Breast Radiologist; Emily Patton, Social Worker; and her medical oncologist who has since left Guthrie – whom she says were all compassionate, kind, and professional. “I’d also like to recognize AmyJo Lattimer, my Chemotherapy Nurse. She’s very special,” Mary Jane notes.
After her recovery, Mary Jane continued to find comfort in her faith and joined a weightlifting group at her Presbyterian Church called “The Lifting Ladies.”
Although her cancer treatments proved challenging, Mary Jane notes, “My whole journey has been very positive. There are so many things to be grateful for and people to be grateful to.”