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Gail Purtan suffered from metastatic ovarian cancer for the better part of two decades, and it was because of her diagnosis that the Purtans became involved with the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Dick Purtan, Gail’s husband, celebrated radio personality and philanthropist, recalled that time. “Well, actually, it goes back quite a few years,” he described. After Gail’s diagnosis in 1997, Dick’s attorney and long-time friend, Henry Baskin, told him about a magnificent cancer doctor at Karmanos na...

When most people think of CrossFit®, they picture athletes lifting massive weights and competing at elite levels. But CrossFit® isn’t just for fitness fanatics; it can also be a powerful tool for healing. That’s the idea behind the CrossFit® and Physical Activity: A Better Life Experience (CAPABLE) study, which is helping cancer survivors regain strength, confidence, and quality of life. “I created CAPABLE because I believe in the impact that exercise has on wellness, both physically and mentally,” said...

Only life-long smokers are at risk for lung cancer, right? Wrong. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Every year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, making up almost 25 percent of all cancer deaths. About 80 percent of lung cancer deaths are thought to result from smoking. Despite its worldwide prevalence an...

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute welcomes Paige Aiello, M.D. , breast surgeon and member of the Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos. Not only does Dr. Aiello specialize in the surgical removal of breast cancer, but she also adds to the multidisciplinary team with a specialization in axillary lymph node surgery. She began seeing patients at the Karmanos locations in Detroit, Dearborn, Farmington Hills, and Roseville in July 2025. “The diagnosis of breast cancer in itself can b...

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute welcomed one new leader and appointed two seasoned leaders in 2025: Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D., Elizabeth Cunningham, MS, CCRP, and Benjamin Herring, MA. Deputy Center Director of Research Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D., has joined Karmanos as the new deputy center director of Research and a tenured professor of research at Wayne State University. With over 25 years in research education, Dr. Atfi’s research interests are uncovering the molecular mechanisms that drive pancreati...

Though he tried to stop dozens of times, smoking was part of Steve Hollenbeck’s life for decades. “When I was a teenager, the macho man had to smoke, had to be the Marlboro man,” said Steve. “I tried to quit probably 30 times, but when my wife, Nora, got throat cancer, and she quit smoking, I quit cold turkey. I didn’t want to smoke in front of her. That time it just worked.” In 2015, just two years after giving up cigarettes for good, Steve was stunned to find out that he had lung cancer.  “I was ...

Ralph Shaheen, local business owner of Shaheen Chevrolet, who is also an avid hockey player, suddenly felt pain in his chest when doing stretches against a wall at the gym. “I pressed against the wall and noticed it was sore,” said Shaheen. “I thought it was a hockey injury, since I play goalie. I thought I had been hit by a puck, and blew it off like most guys do. I kept thinking it would get better.” It didn’t get better, and he found himself at the Cleveland Clinic for an Executive Health physical ex...

Diabetes is more common than ever — and the tricky part? Many people don’t realize they have it. It can develop slowly, without dramatic symptoms, earning it the nickname “the silent disease.” But the earlier you spot the  early signs of diabetes , the better your chances of avoiding serious complications down the road. What Is Diabetes, Really? At its core, diabetes is a condition that affects how your body handles sugar, or glucose. After you eat, your body turns food into glucose, which fuels yo...

With less than 60 days in her new job, Lisa Whitmore Davis found herself in the emergency room. It was a medical mystery. At the time, she was a 57-year-old healthy woman living her life full of travel, fun and family. But that time was unexpectedly interrupted when, in August 2023, she began experiencing severe chest pain and struggled to breathe. While having trouble breathing on the phone, her daughter, Allantѐ, suggested that Whitmore Davis go straight to urgent care. When she arrived, the staff rec...

Congratulations to ED Tech Debra Palmateer, emergency department, our October 2025 Outstanding Employee of the Month. In her 23 years with McLaren Flint, colleagues have come to think of Deb as someone they can count on for her kindness and rock-solid work ethic. "Deb is one of the hardest working people in the emergency department," said her nominator. "In all of my years here, I have never seen her in a bad mood. She goes above and beyond for patients and her team. She is a role model for her team and...