In honor of Mary Beck
During her 23-year career at UNC, Mary has overseen the planning and design of the N.C. Children’s and Women’s Hospitals, the N.C. Neurosciences Hospital, and now the N.C. Cancer Hospital along with her colleague Mel Hurston who oversaw the construction of every one of these buildings. For this newest addition to the family of UNC Hospitals, Mary had a personal perspective that influenced her work. Thirteen years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was at stage three when she was diagnosed and she chose to join a clinical trial.
“The multidisciplinary approach to care at UNC was of great benefit to me. I felt that the coordinated approach by my medical oncologist, surgeon, radiation oncologist, pathology, mammography and radiology was critical to the success of my treatment.”
Ever since the N.C. Cancer Hospital was first included in the master facility plan in 2002, Mary has been involved in making sure that the people of North Carolina would be as proud of this hospital as she now is.
Today, while doctors and nurses treat patients in this state-of-the-art facility, Mary has embarked on a new job that includes working with Dr. Thomas Shea, director of clinical outreach at UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, to help enhance cancer services across the state so that UNC can help cancer patients receive top-notch care near home. But if any of these patients need to come to UNC, Mary is proud that the N.C. Cancer Hospital is here to serve them.