Lillie D. Shockney

Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, is a two-time breast cancer survivor and an expert and leader in the field of breast cancer treatment.

Shockney currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Gynecology and Obstetrics at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, the University Distinguished Service Assistant Professor of Breast Cancer, and the Administrative Director of The Avon Foundation Breast Center at John Hopkins. Shockney's appointment as the University Distinguished Service Assistant Professor of Breast Cancer in 2008 was groundbreaking, as it was the first time Johns Hopkins a hospital nurse received the extraordinary distinguished service designation.

Shockney's passion and commitment to breast cancer treatment has earned her the reputation as, "The heart and soul of this Johns Hopkins Breast Center…a tough, funny woman who knows too well what her patients face." Shockney goes well beyond the call of duty in her treatment of and accessibility to patients at the Center. A new patient at the Avon Breast Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins will receive Shockney's books, and her home and work phone numbers and e-mail address. Shockney is there for patients, holding their hands in the recovery room after surgery, easing their pain and anxiety. Her compassionate care and counseling play a huge part in making the Avon Breast Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins the success that it is. Survival rates for the Center's early stage patients match or exceed national rates.

To help advance breast cancer education throughout the world using new technologies, ten years ago Shockney requested that the Breast Center have its own website. When she learned that it would take eight months to build, she intervened. Shockney, a programming novice, bought a "how-to" book and built the site herself in just a few weeks. Hoping for 5,000 hits a month, the Center's website received 3.2 million. Shockney informs the public through the very popular "Ask An Expert" section on the Center's website and on Yahoo.com. Between the two forums, she answers 200-plus questions daily from people around the globe.

Shockney is a nationally recognized public speaker on the subject of breast cancer treatment as well as a published author on the subject. She has written over fifty peer reviewed articles in medical journals and eight books. Shockney also serves on several national breast cancer organizations medical advisory boards. Shockney, along with her mother, is the co-founder and vice president of "Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer," a nationwide non-profit organization.

In recognition of her work, Shockney has received over 25 national awards and three awards from her home state of Maryland, where she has been a lifelong resident. Shockney continues to work on improving the quality and standard of care for of breast cancer patients through her many programs and affiliations.