FEATURE

Saul Rivkin, MD Named a Local Hero by Bank of America

Dr. Saul Rivkin

On October 24, 2007, Bank of America awarded lifetime resident of Seattle Dr. Saul Rivkin with a Local Hero award through their Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Awards program. The ceremony was held at the Seattle Art Museum. The program honors individuals from the community who champion causes vital to their communities, inspire others to get involved and have special and significant impact on individuals, families, and their communities. In his 36 years as an oncologist at Swedish Medical Center and his 14 years dedicated to ovarian cancer research, Dr. Rivkin has consistently embodied the definition of a local hero.

Dr. Rivkin attended Seattle's Garfield High School and received his medical degree from the University of Washington. After finishing his residency, fellowship and service in the Army, he returned home to Seattle in 1971 and has been a medical oncologist at the Swedish Cancer Institute ever since. According to the Executive Director of the SCI, Dr. Al Einstein, "Dr. Rivkin is the most committed, passionate person I know in his dedication to curing ovarian cancer."

Even at age 72, Dr. Rivkin arrives at Swedish Hospital by 6am most days, even on weekends, and often doesn't leave until after 10pm, when he's been able to see all of his patients and give them personalized care. Their intense battles for life become Dr. Rivkin's own, and he will fight tirelessly on their behalf. According to long-time patient Barbara Bridge, "Dr Rivkin is one of a kind. I am a 25 year breast cancer survivor. I attribute this to Dr. Rivkin's never give up attitude. He is a compassionate and caring man and I feel so fortunate that I am his patient."

In 1989, Dr. Rivkin's wife of 29 years was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. He was at her side to help fight the disease. After Marsha died in 1993, he dedicated himself to ovarian cancer research in her memory. Through his determined efforts, the Rivkin Center now provides free screening to hundreds of women in the greater Seattle area and funds over half a million dollars in research every year to help eradicate this disease. The results from one Rivkin Center on symptoms were recently the basis of a national consensus statement with press coverage from MSN to the New York Times. Dr. Rivkin is leading the cancer community to find a way to detect ovarian cancer at its earliest stages when it is treatable, in order to save women from the suffering his family witnessed first hand.

Accompanying the Bank of America Local Hero award is a $5,000 donation to a charity of the awardees choice. Dr. Saul Rivkin says "I'm very grateful for this donation and the funds will help the Marsha Rivkin Center continue to unlock the mysteries of ovarian cancer."