May 2022
Drs. Smita and Sharad Parikh Establish $100,000 Endowment
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, second only to lung cancer. Yet when detected early, studies have shown that the chance for successful treatment is almost 100%.
Smita Parikh, MD, is a spirited radiologist who solely focuses on breast imaging at Christian Hospital. Unfortunately, the volume of cancers she detects is shockingly high because of the growing breast cancer inequity gap in north St. Louis County, especially in African American women.
"I read approximately 10,000 mammograms last year at Christian Hospital," Dr. Parikh explains. "African American women present with later-stage disease, more aggressive subtypes and larger tumors. Their survival rates are worse than white women. It is known that women who did not have health insurance are much less likely to get a mammogram.”
Visibly troubled by the unsettling statistics, she says, "We need to help more women get regular mammograms."
Dr. Parikh and her husband, Sharad Parikh, MD, requested a meeting with the Christian Hospital Foundation to discuss their mission to improve survival of women with breast cancer in north St. Louis County. "Our main focus is to encourage women to come earlier for mammograms to save more lives," says Dr. Parikh.
As a result, Drs. Smita and Sharad Parikh have announced their plans to establish a $100,000 endowment to support mammogram assistance for women in need. The fund will support uninsured and underinsured women living in Christian Hospital's catchment area.
"We are so grateful for the Parikhs’ decision to stand up to cancer in our community through education and early detection," says Necole Cheung, Christian Hospital Foundation & Community Engagement executive director. “Through their generosity, women in our community will receive mammography services despite their inability to pay.”
“The big-heartedness demonstrated by Drs. Smita and Sharad Parikh truly advances our mission to address the disparities of breast cancer screening and survival rates within our community,” says Rick L. Stevens, FACHE, president of Christian Hospital and the Christian Hospital Foundation. “St. Louis unfortunately has the highest late-stage breast cancer diagnosis rate in the country, according to data from Susan G. Komen, with some of the highest mortality rates in north St. Louis County zip codes where one-in-four households are uninsured.”
The Parikhs’ life, work and mission will ensure that the Christian Hospital Foundation continues to build Hope + Health + Community.
To take advantage of the "Mammogram Assistance for Women in Need" fund, please call 314-653-4333 to schedule your appointment.