Cynthia Farah is the operations manager of breast health services at St. Vincent’s. She has been with the hospital for six years.
ACCOLADES
Farah was named volunteer of the year by the American Cancer Society. She has participated in the Making Strides campaign, the Relay for Life 18-hour marathon and the Tell-A-Friend program of the ACS designed to promote breast cancer awareness.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
Managing the daily operations of breast health services for St. Vincent’s main campus, mobile mammography unit and the screening services at the Orange Park Health Center are her charge.
“I am responsible for [the center’s] vision, strategic analysis and support of the program, to make sure we provide the best imaging services to women that we can. My job is to make sure things run smoothly.”
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville.
EDUCATION
She received a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Florida State University and a master’s degree in health services administration from the College of St. Francis in Illinois.
WHY GO INTO THIS FIELD?
“I had to do a typing report in the ninth grade and had to pick a profession. My mother was a nurse. From doing that report, something clicked and I knew I wanted to go into medicine. I was initially trained as an x-ray technician. I found I had an affinity for imaging and realized women’s imaging was important to me. I can see how I am helping them. It meant a lot to me to be able to provide that service.”
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING?
“Helping people, calming people’s fears, educating women on what early prevention can do and knowing one day you may save a life.”
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
“The same as everybody in health care: keeping the business running with less money coming in.”
RESIDENCE
Mandarin.
HOBBIES
Reading and traveling to new places. She spent six weeks in Asia, Europe and the Middle East recently. A cruise down the Nile River is her most memorable trip.
FAVORITES
Dining at Bahn Thai’s restaurant in Tallahassee or catching a repeat of the classic film “The Sound of Music” really makes her day.
GOOD NEWS FOR LADIES
“Health care in general for women has improved dramatically in the last 10 years. St. Vincent’s seeks out women who need education and if they have barriers, financial or otherwise, we find ways to help them. We have an agreement with the Cancer Society where St. Vincent’s provides 1,000 free mammograms to those who have never had it.”
IS 40 TO LATE TO START CHECKING FOR LUMPS?
“Under the current guidelines, mammograms start with women age 40 and up. For most of the population, it’s OK. We are seeing breast cancer in younger women but most 30-year-olds aren’t going to have it. I think the guidelines will change and we will start looking at younger women and how to take care of them better.”
—by Monica Chamness