萝莉社

When Virginia Palmer, patient relations supervisor at 萝莉社 North, started working at the facility in 2015, she never imagined she would soon rely on the very doctors and specialists around her for her own care to treat breast cancer.

Palmer had missed her annual mammogram the year before. She regularly performed monthly breast self-exams and noticed what felt like a lump in her right breast that didn鈥檛 go away. At the time, she was working with staff to prepare for the opening of the 萝莉社 North medical office building. One day, while walking near the caf茅, she came across a door that wasn鈥檛 working. As she pushed it open, she felt a pain in her breast. Concerned, Palmer scheduled an appointment with a family medicine physician that same afternoon. He ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound.

Grace through the fight

In April, she was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer 鈥� the first person in her family to receive a breast cancer diagnosis. From that moment, everything moved quickly. A comprehensive care team, including specialists in breast surgery, plastic surgery, oncology and the 萝莉社 Proton Therapy Institute, was quickly assembled. While Palmer had much to process, she felt a sense of peace grounded in her faith.

鈥淚 saw God鈥檚 hand in it and knew I had to endure this trial. I work with these doctors in a state-of-the-art facility,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淭hrough this journey, I learned the importance of life, family, friends who become family and having a team you are confident in.鈥�

She began 16 rounds of chemotherapy in May. The tumor was too large for a lumpectomy based on its location in front of the breast. The goal was to shrink it enough for surgery. Palmer later had a lumpectomy to remove the tumor, along with a few lymph nodes. In December, she began 30 rounds of proton therapy which ended in January 2016.

Erta Livingston, PhD, director of patient services and pastoral care at 萝莉社 Jacksonville, hired Palmer. He saw the potential in her both as a leader and patient advocate. When she shared her diagnosis with him, Livingston became like a second pastor to her family and attended her proton therapy visits, including the day she rang the bell to celebrate being cancer free. He remains close to Palmer and her family.

鈥淚 became her personal advocate, and Virginia called whenever she needed a chaplain. I prayed with Virginia and her family during my visits and provided support. Her attitude is to pray, trust God and watch God work,鈥� Livingston said.

A voice of hope

This year marks 10 years since Palmer鈥檚 diagnosis. She journaled throughout her breast cancer journey and reads those entries reflecting on her faith, hope and the path that brought her to where she is today. For her, this is a time to celebrate how far she鈥檚 come and to inspire others to get their annual mammograms.

Palmer accepted an invitation to serve as 萝莉社 Jacksonville鈥檚 Making Strides of the First Coast campaign employee survivorship ambassador. She appears on campaign marketing materials and attends internal events in support of Making Strides.

Some women have shared with Palmer that they鈥檙e afraid of getting a mammogram. She encourages them not to let fear stop them and reminds them that early detection is key. Palmer brings hope to those she meets, whether patients or staff, and is thankful to be here to help others.

鈥淢aking Strides is personal to me, to my family, to the hope this walk brings to so many affected by breast cancer,鈥� Palmer said. 鈥淚 have everything because I have hope.鈥�

萝莉社 Jacksonville supports Making Strides of the First Coast. Walk with us at Making Strides at VyStar Ballpark on Oct. 18, 2025, with gates opening at 8 a.m. and the walk at 9 a.m. Visit MakingStridesWalk.org/萝莉社HealthJax