Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1470100
2 | Health Matters: Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center The Legacy That Shaped the Culture at the Providence Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center Raul Mena, MD, medical director since its inception, is retiring R aul Mena, MD, medical director of the Disney Family Cancer Center (DFCC), is the kind of doctor you want by your side during cancer treatment. He's calm and patient and has a wonderful bedside manner, explaining everything in simple, easy-to-understand language. Dr. Mena's passion for medicine and treating cancer began in 1980, when he was a senior fellow at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, in Burbank. It seemed only fitting that years later, in 2010, he bundled his passion and energy to help open the Disney Family Cancer Center. Dr. Mena's guiding principle is simple: Cancer patients need to be treated as a whole—body, mind and spirit—something that permeates the DFCC culture today. "When we envisioned what the DFCC would be, we were mindful of the valuable asset of time that a cancer patient has," says Dr. Mena. "We envisioned a place—a one-stop shop, if you will— where we could address the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of patients. We feel we have achieved that—it is something that is important to us and the way in which we strive to improve every person's health and quality of life." WHY RETIREMENT NOW So what does a man who has dedicated his life to helping others do when he retires? Dr. Mena, who is 74 years old, plans to be very busy. "I'm healthy, my brain works and my energy is good," he says. "And I want to learn many things that I didn't learn in school. Specifically, he wants to learn about the cultures in South America, Africa, Egypt, India and other far-flung places. "If there is one good thing about the COVID epidemic, it is the increase in Zoom education. I plan to do Zoom classes—the first on comparative religion—and then hopefully my wife and I can travel once the pandemic gets better." THE FUTURE OF CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT Dr. Mena's work at the DFCC has given him a bird's-eye view into the future of cancer care. "The future of cancer remains prevention," he says, "and, along with that, early detection and a better understanding of our genetic makeup and mutations that may cause cancer." ONGOING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DFCC Dr. Mena will still be involved with the center after his retirement. "I have developed relationships with people in the community," he says. "And I will continue to help with fundraising. My retirement party was a fundraiser." More than 200 people attended the event, which was held at the DFCC in March, with wine as a motif, since Dr. Mena is a connoisseur. "COVID has been horrific, impacting lives and the financial well-being of the medical center. I look forward to serving on the foundation board to help raise well-needed funds and to offer guidance and advice when asked." "It really does take a village—hospitals, educators, legislators—to improve the health of our community. The Sisters of Providence have done a great deal to that end. I am honored to have helped in the endeavor." To domate to the Raul Mena, MD Legacy Fund visit supportsaintjoseph.org. A beautiful celebration of Dr. Raul Mena's illustrious career. Bottom: Interim Chief Executive, Brian Helleland and Dr. Mena.