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VCU Massey Cancer Center physician and researcher Mary Helen Hackney, M.D., has been named one of the “Influential Women of Virginia” for 2014 by Virginia Lawyers Media.

This award program, now in its sixth year, recognizes the outstanding efforts of women in the Commonwealth in all fields, including law, business, health care, education and the arts. The honors are given to individuals who are making notable contributions to their chosen professions, their communities and society at large.

Hackney, medical hematologist-oncologist and member of the Developmental Therapeutics research program at Massey, has dedicated her life to helping people who are affected by cancer. While she cares for patients with a variety of cancers, she specializes in breast cancer and has a passion for cancer education and community outreach. She also acted as program director of Massey’s for 14 years and currently serves the program as one of five oncologists who travel to rural community hospitals once a week to evaluate patients, provide follow-up care and make referrals where appropriate. The program teaches community physicians and nurses how to care for cancer patients and brings high-level cancer care to those who otherwise would have been unable to receive it.

Hackney will be honored at an awards ceremony and profiled in a special publication inserted into Virginia Lawyers Weekly in May.

Written by: Alaina Schneider