Katrina’s Story

With specialized care, I beat cancer.

Katrina Wilson always knew that Penn Highlands Healthcare is a great place to work. As the receptionist for the Residence at Hilltop, she greets visitors and makes them feel at home when they visit their loved ones. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with breast cancer that she discovered personally that the health system is also an outstanding place to receive medical care.

“When the results of my mammogram indicated that I had breast cancer, my doctor recommended that I see Dr. Natalie Furgiuele at Penn Highlands Mon Valley,” said the wife and mother.

Natalie Furgiuele, MD, FACS, is a board-certified surgeon and director of the Penn Highlands Mon Valley Breast Program. With more than four decades of experience, she offers patients highly specialized surgical care for a range of breast conditions.

“Dr. Furgiuele explained my cancer; answered all of my questions; let me know the success rates; and ultimately calmed my nerves. She was very uplifting. She’s a woman who knows what a woman goes through!”

Katrina had outpatient surgery at Penn Highlands Mon Valley followed by radiation every day for a week at Penn Highlands Hahne Cancer Center.

“I had excellent mental and physical care. I was emotionally prepared and healed in just a few days,” Katrina explained. “I had cancer but I didn’t miss a beat!”