Clinical Manager of the Piper Breast Center
2006Carol Bergen’s title, Clinical Manager of the Piper Breast Center, barely begins to describe the scope and depth of her connections with breast cancer. Carol is the epitome of a caring and knowledgeable professional, a community activist, and a champion of quality health care. In addition to a nursing degree from St. Mary’s College, Carol also has a BS in Health Care Management from Cardinal Stritch College. Carol managed oncology units at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina and at Paradise Valley Hospital in San Diego before she became the clinical manager of oncology at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in 1987.
Carol’s expertise as a nurse and her involvement with breast cancer survivors were instrumental in the development of the Piper Breast Center. In 1994, during the design phase of the Piper Breast Center, Carol organized a group of over 20 breast cancer survivors who advised Abbott Northwestern on the planning and development of the Piper Breast Center. Thanks to Carol, survivors had a voice in the physical design of the Piper Breast Center and the development of various programs to complement healing and recovery. If you have had a mammogram at Piper and have appreciated the plush robes, the cup of tea or coffee, and the comfortable atmosphere, you can thank Carol and the survivor advisers. Carol championed the original idea of the Living Room at the Piper Breast Center. Through expansions and renovations of the breast center, Carol continues to insist on maintaining a focus on the patients and their comfort and convenience.
Carol’s focus on quality health care is also evident in her management of daily operations at the Piper Breast Center. Under Carol’s guidance, physicians, nurses, and volunteers all work together to bring state-of-the-art care in a truly nurturing environment to each patient at the Piper Breast Center. The Junior League of Minneapolis honored Carol in 2001 as its Community Volunteer of the Year. Carol’s activism has extended far beyond Minnesota on medical missions to Guatemala and Romania. Dr. Beverly Trombley, a radiologist at Piper Breast Center, points out that "Carol is known at Piper Breast Center for many things. She is vivacious, warm-hearted and committed to the vision of comprehensive care for women. She is relentless in her pursuit of setting and meeting high expectations of service for our patients. We are quite proud of her".
