The TTUHSC Breast Center of Excellence (BCE) celebrated National Breast Health Awareness Month at the annual Champions of Breast Health Breakfast of Champions Oct. 22 at Abuleo’s Mexican Restaurant. Proceeds from the event benefit the Amarillo Area Breast Health Coalition (AABHC).

Champions of Breast Health is an arm of the AABHC, which collaborates with other community partners and volunteer services to promote breast health and greater access to clinical services through innovative programs like Wise Woman, Bra Art Exhibits and Modeling the Cure.

Rakhshanda Rahman, M.D., was honored as the group’s 2016 Professional Breast Health Champion. Rahman, an associate professor of surgery and breast health services director, played a significant role in obtaining a $1.68 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to pay for mammograms and diagnostics especially for underserved/uninsured women in the area. She founded the BCE and she is recognized for her passionate efforts as a program developer, grant writer, fundraiser and educator.

Richard Jordan, M.D., regional dean for the School of Medicine in Amarillo, helped TTUHSC sponsor a BCE table for the breakfast. In addition, bras decorated by “bra artists” from the BCE and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology were displayed at the event.