After 23 years as director of the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program, Hillary Rutter of Plainview will retire on Jan. 10, 2020.
The program runs the oldest breast cancer hotline in the country, and provides counseling, support groups, educational programs, community outreach and advocacy to thousands of New Yorkers.
Addressing unmet needs is a primary goal of the Adelphi program, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year, and that has guided Rutter as the director. She is an innovator and a leader and has collaborated with numerous cancer and health care organizations to create programs such as Sisters United in Health/Hermanas Unidas en la Salud, which focuses on disparities in health care for women of color and the BEST (Breast Education, Screening and Treatment) project which has provided life-saving services to thousands of under served women across Long Island.
Most recently, Rutter has developed collaborative peer-to-peer support services for patients at hospitals including Northwell, St. Francis, Winthrop and Mercy Medical Center. She established the first support group in the U.S. for men with breast cancer and has acted as a consultant to many other organizations to develop programs, services and conferences.
Working with the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Rutter and her staff involved New Yorkers in the advocacy process, meeting with federal, state and local legislators to promote breast cancer causes. Through their efforts the National Center for Disease Control (CDC) Breast and Cervical Treatment Act and state-level legislation was enacted, enabling uninsured or under-insured women, who were screened under the CDC screening program to receive medical treatment once diagnosed. She has stated, “My greatest professional achievement was, with the help of my team of staff, volunteers and student interns, developing and implementing so many programs to help women and men with breast cancer and their families, and knowing that we help them get through one of their most difficult challenges with dignity and compassion.” Rutter has raised more than $15 million in grants and funds for the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program.
Rutter is a licensed clinical social worker with a master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. She has served on the board of directors of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC), Long Island Women’s Agenda (LIWA), and the Metropolitan NY Chapter of Social Work Administrators in Health Care (SWAHC) and served as president of LIWA and SWAHC.
She has appeared on Good Morning America, Good Day New York, the Today Show, News 12, ABC News, numerous other radio and television shows, and is often quoted in articles about breast cancer.
“Hillary’s passion and excellence in her work has enriched lives, enlightened communities, improved approaches to care and brought renown to Adelphi,” Adelphi President Dr. Christine Riordan said.
Assuring a smooth transition, Reyna Machado of Garden City, the assistant director who has been with the program for three years, will take the reins of the organization in January.
—Submitted by Adelphi University
