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At the heart of a thriving community lies a commitment to the well-being of all its members. The teams at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and the VCU Wright Center are dedicated to fostering positive health outcomes. This dedication is exemplified by the impactful work of Wendy Bottinor, M.D., a cardio-oncologist and a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at Massey, whose commitment to cancer survivors in Virginia is truly inspiring. Through education, advocacy and community engagement, Bottinor and her team are paving the way for a future where every individual has the tools and support to live their healthiest life. Pictured: Wendy Bottinor, M.D.

A journey into cardio-oncology: Bottinor’s path to specialization

Bottinor specializes in cardio-oncology, an increasingly vital field. She discovered this specialized area during her fellowship, where she worked with cancer survivors who also developed heart problems after cancer treatment. Promoting heart health for cancer survivors became her calling. A proud alumna of VCU’s School of Medicine, Bottinor returned to VCU to practice medicine and continue her groundbreaking research after completing her cardio-oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University. Her dedication to advancing medical knowledge was further supported by the invaluable mentorship and research she benefitted from during her time as a VCU Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research K Scholar (2021 to 2024).

Empowering survivors through knowledge and advocacy

Bottinor’s research team plays a crucial role in public health within Virginia by focusing on promoting awareness and self-advocacy among cancer survivors. It’s a powerful approach, recognizing that informed individuals are empowered individuals. As Bottinor explains, her team works directly with survivors to develop accessible educational materials, including flyers, that highlight the often-overlooked risk of cardiovascular disease after cancer treatment. This proactive stance encourages survivors to take essential steps, such as managing high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes – critical factors in preventing heart complications.

Their message is amplified through partnerships with local media outlets, ensuring vital information reaches a broader audience. Looking ahead, Bottinor is excited about an upcoming initiative: partnering with cancer survivors to explore the development of a peer support network for survivors with heart disease. This initiative promises to create a vital community for shared experiences and mutual support, recognizing the unique challenges survivors face.

Community at the core: Engaging for greater impact

The impact of Bottinor’s work extends deep into local communities. She emphasizes the importance of direct engagement, noting her connections with cancer survivors through non-profit organizations like the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. These partnerships are instrumental, providing direct channels to those who need support most.

A shining example of this collaborative spirit is Bottinor’s work with Sarah Fishman, a participant in the Cancer Champions program at Massey. Fishman’s involvement in improving study design and implementation underscores the team’s commitment to ensuring their research is truly relevant and beneficial to those it aims to serve. It’s a powerful reminder that the best health solutions are often developed with the community, not just for them.

Nurturing the next generation of public health leaders

Investing in future public health professionals is key to sustained positive change. Bottinor is actively involved in mentorship, currently guiding Mariama Bah, an American Cancer Society post-baccalaureate scholar. Bah is leading a vital project examining the experiences of survivors in cardio-oncology research and identifying gaps in existing support systems. This mentorship not only fosters individual growth but also promises to yield critical insights that will benefit countless survivors.

Exciting initiatives on the horizon: A focus on heart health

The enthusiasm for Bah’s work is palpable, and it ties into an exciting upcoming initiative. Bottinor mentioned a partnership with Tara Daudani, president of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and a patient-advocate for Massey, to host a family-friendly event aimed at promoting heart health awareness and fundraising for survivorship support. These events are crucial for bringing health education directly to families and building a supportive community around survivors.

Proactive steps for a healthier tomorrow

Bottinor’s primary goal for addressing emerging health issues in Virginia is to promote awareness. She wants survivors to understand the importance of being proactive about their heart health during long-term survivorship. Simple yet crucial steps include managing risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes.

Furthermore, she stresses the importance of open communication with health care providers about cardiac testing. As Bottinor highlights, survivors who received chest radiation or potentially heart-toxic chemotherapy before the age of 40 may be eligible for periodic echocardiograms or cardiac ultrasounds. Early detection is paramount, as Bottinor emphasizes: “The earlier we detect heart disease the more successful we are at treating it.” This proactive approach is a cornerstone of achieving positive health outcomes.

A vision for lasting impact

Bottinor’s long-term vision is clear and inspiring: to improve the experience of cancer survivors. This involves educating both survivors and providers on how to minimize the risk of heart disease, and critically, performing clinical trials to identify the best treatments for survivors who develop heart disease. It’s a comprehensive approach that addresses prevention, early detection and effective treatment.

The indispensable value of local health research

Bottinor underscores the profound value of supporting local health research. Her team’s projects are directly informed by the needs identified through interactions with local survivors and non-profit organizations. This direct feedback loop ensures that the research is not just academically sound but also deeply relevant and impactful for the community it serves.

“It is really exciting to think that our work will directly benefit local survivors as well as the larger survivorship community,” Bottinor shared.

Bottinor’s dedication, combined with a strong emphasis on community engagement, education and proactive care, is a powerful force in creating positive health outcomes for cancer survivors in Virginia and beyond. Her work is a testament to the belief that with knowledge, support and dedicated research, a healthier future can be built for everyone.

This was repurposed from an article originally published by the VCU Wright Center.