October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to remember and honor those who have been affected by this dangerous disease, as well as support the efforts of researchers, medical professionals, and leaders who are taking action to prevent, control, and cure breast cancer.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has protected the water environment of Cook County for 132 years and as an environmental leader, recognizes the importance of developing solutions that can change the world and keep it safe and secure for future generations.

The MWRD Board of Commissioners issued a resolution to Breast Surgeon and Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Kevin P. Bethke, MD. Dr. Bethke also serves as the Associate Director of the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and is a past Chief of Staff for Northwestern Memorial Hospital. In addition to providing exceptional medical care, serving as a teacher and mentor to his students, he also actively enrolls patients into appropriate research studies.

“When managing a health crisis such as breast disease, it is pivotal to have a stellar health team in your corner,” said MWRD Vice President Barbara McGowan. “Dr. Bethke is professional, compassionate, calming, considerate, and trustworthy. His attitude and communication are so gentle and full of understanding. I am grateful that people in Chicago have access to this level of high-quality, exceptional and collaborative care as they fight breast cancer.”

Dr. Bethke has published articles on a variety of breast disease topics and is a member of many medical societies including the American Society of Breast Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology and he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has been active in many cancer organizations including the American Cancer Society where he has served as past President of the Downtown Chicago Board.

Dr. Bethke believes in empowering patients by providing them with organized, pertinent information through consultation discussions, email access and a personalized website which provides clinic forms, step-by-step guides, worksheets, web links and videos. His hope is that patients will feel comfortable asking any and all questions. As a surgeon, Dr. Bethke strives to not only perform the best cancer operation possible but also to assure the best cosmetic result.

“According to the American Cancer Society, ‘the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer.’ That woman could be someone’s mom, daughter, sister, wife, friend, or co-worker,” said MWRD President Kari Steele. I salute Dr. Bethke for dedicating his career to end breast cancer and for being a champion physician, educator and researcher for not only women, but their loved ones who hold their hands during this experience.”

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