Oncologist Edith Mitchell Wins PHL Life Sciences Ultimate Solution Award – Philadelphia magazine

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The Thomas Jefferson Universityleader has dedicated her career to healthcare parity and is the firstblack woman to receive the award.

Jefferson University Hospital oncologist Edith Mitchell. / Courtesy

Edith Mitchell is a force. The decorated researcher and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital oncologist has accomplished so many firsts that even she cant keep track of them.

In 2001, she was named the first female physician in United States Air Force history to achieve the rank of Brigadier General, which in some countries is the highest field rank in the armed forces. In 2015, she became the first female medical oncologist to serve as president of the National Medical Association, the nations oldest professional society forblack physicians. Last year, Thomas Jefferson University named Mitchell its academician of the year she was the firstblack woman chosen to receive that honor. And on Tuesday night, Mitchell became the firstblack woman to receive the PHL Life Sciences Ultimate Solution Award, an honor given annually to an individual or organization that has raised Philadelphias profile as a life sciences meeting and convention destination.

Despite her many accolades, Mitchell says she never set out to put the spotlight on herself. Instead, shes dedicated her more than 40 years career to rooting out inequities in healthcare and helping the most commonly underserved and underrepresented populations gain access to the latest advances in medicine and science.

I dont ask about being the first; people come up to tell me. I didnt do anything to become a first doing it. I did it because of my passion for what I do, Mitchell told NextHealth PHL. I try to do the best I can in any given situation, and I work with people across all avenues to improve lives. If I can work with others to bring healthcare delivery to the communities of all Philadelphians, Im going to do just that.

Mitchell has spent her medical career helping individuals in chronically underserved areas, promoting healthy lifestyle choices and advocating for patient access to preventative care. In 2012, she established the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparitieswithin the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson to provide educational resources and community outreach to at-risk populations in the Philadelphia region, reducing barriers to quality medical care.

Mitchell is the eighth recipient of the annual award presented by PHL Life Sciences, a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). Previous winners of the Ultimate Solution Award include former Philadelphia mayor, Michael Nutter; American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) CEO, Margaret Foti; LabCorp CEO, David King; and chair of Delaware BIO, Christopher Yochim.

Bonnie Grant, the executive director of PHLCVB, says Mitchells distinguished careerled the committee to selecther as the recipient of this years award.

I think healthcare disparity is a topic that deserves attention. Im a 20-year cancer survivor, and I know I was very blessed and lucky to have a great insurance policy and to have access to great healthcare, but thats not always the case for everybody, Grant said. I believe Dr. Mitchell is committed and has been committed to raising awareness about disparities in the field of cancer, and I think shes changed many lives because of that.

According to Grant, Mitchell has also played a key role in her groups effort to improve Philadelphias standing as a leading hub for life sciences and a prime destination for major life sciences conferences. Over the years, Mitchell has worked closely with the PHLCVB to bring influential conventions and conferences to Philadelphia, including when she brought the National Medical Associations annual meeting to Philadelphia in 2015 while she served as the organizations 116th president.

I am a big proponent of life sciences and science education, not only for students but for the community, and for individuals, and for the advancement of medicine and science, Mitchell said.

Ive always been one who has worked to bridge silos in many areas, to make sure that we are using our resources to move good ideas ahead. I am so happy to be a part of bringing things and people together, and I am so deeply honored to receive this award.

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Oncologist Edith Mitchell Wins PHL Life Sciences Ultimate Solution Award - Philadelphia magazine