Advice From the Founder of the Lewin Fund

I recently went one on one with Dr. Sharyn N. Lewin. Sharyn is the Founder and Executive Director of The Lewin Fund, responsible for the organization’s operations and strategic vision, and for advancing The Lewin Fund’s mission to invest in grassroots initiatives and research that directly support women who are afflicted with cancer and their families. Sharyn is a longtime advocate for women and women’s health. A board certified Gynecologic Oncologist, she specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ovarian, endometrial, uterine, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers and serves as Medical Director of the New Jersey-based Holy Name Medical Center’s Gynecologic Oncology Division. She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your best advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? 

Sharyn: I am a gynecologic oncologist, a doctor who takes care of women with cancer of the female reproductive track. I am both a surgeon as well as a physician who administers and manages chemotherapy. I also perform complex benign surgeries. I am proud of the comprehensive care we provide for women.

The mystery of disease and the intricacies of the human body always fascinated me. In elementary school, this curiosity led me to enter and subsequently win, my school’s science fair. Being close to a grandmother who had a thriving gynecologic practice – and sharing the dedication to improve women's healthcare - solidified my path.

I completed medical school at the University of Kansas and began my OB/GYN residency at Washington University in St. Louis, where my first rotation was gynecologic oncology. I quickly realized that women with cancer were among the most appreciative, kind, and caring women I had ever met. I knew from that experience I would become a gynecologic oncologist.

After completing my residency, I was fortunate to enter a fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I learned from the best.

While working at NY Presbyterian, I treated a woman who shared my vision of how women with cancer need both medical and emotional care throughout their treatment. This shared vision and her generous gift enabled me to establish The Lewin Fund to Fight Women's Cancers. To honor her memory, The Lewin Fund’s mission consists of education, research, prevention and support services for women with cancer in their families. I am proud to be the Executive Director of The Lewin Fund and am passionate about providing these amazing women with medical treatment and lifelong support.

Adam: What experiences, failures, setbacks or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth? 

Sharyn: My experiences where I trained at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center was so instrumental in my growth. During my fellowship, I really learned from the best and along the way I have had various colleagues that have enriched my growth. As a medical professional, I am always learning and I’ve had and continue to have many mentors who constantly help me grow and evolve. 

There are always challenges with patients especially since medicine isn’t an exact science.  Cancer is very grueling and difficult and there are always challenges with different patient care issues, but I always strive to do my best. 

Adam: What is The Lewin Fund all about? 

Sharyn: We are the only non-profit in the tri-state area dedicated to all women with cancer.  We are particularly focused on the underserved. Our mission is to support innovative research, unique patient support programs and prevention symposiums to educate about health and wellness. For example, we support a program in the Bronx for children whose mothers or grandmothers have had cancer. This unique peer mentoring program for such an under-supported population has been life-changing. We fund transportation programs to help women get to their chemotherapy and doctor appointments. As another example, we have impacted thousands of women’s lives with our free community wellness and prevention symposiums. 

Adam: What inspired you to start it and how did you get it off the ground? 

Sharyn: A special patient left a request in her will for me to start a foundation. She was very grateful and impressed by the work I was doing with women and cancer and she wanted me to continue that on a larger level. No one on our board takes a salary, they are all voluntary and there are minimal administration costs so the money truly goes to patients and programs. We’re always working on growing the fund, but we’re very proud of the patients we’ve been able to help. 

Adam: How do you believe anyone can pay it forward? 

Sharyn: I believe anyone can pay it forward. I think we should all do acts of kindness and generosity everyday. I also believe in treating people how you want to be treated, which is what I do with my patients and a big reason why we are doing what we’re doing with women and underserved families. 

Adam: What are your best tips on giving back?

Sharyn: I think a great way to give back is by people volunteering their time and expertise. There are various avenues to give back with time and expertise and helping those less fortunate is really essential. 

Adam: What have been the lessons you have learned through your experience leading the foundation?

Sharyn: I’ve learned how even small giving can reap huge benefits for people. There has been a lot of data how women’s cancers are very underfunded – cancers breast, pediatric, leukemia and lymphomas are actually overfunded for the amount of people who have these cancers and every other cancer is underfunded. There was a study globally how women don’t know the signs and symptoms for cancer so our mission is really aimed at combating those unmet needs. 

Adam: What have been the lessons you have learned from your medical practice? 

Sharyn: It’s really a privilege to take care of patients and become part of their family. I learn things everyday as new situations arrive. I’ve done a lot to build programs at Holy Name including, clinical research programs, peer mentoring programs, etc. and I’ve learned a lot about program building in order to comprehensively take care of women with cancer. 

Adam: In your experience, what are the defining qualities of an effective leader? 

Sharyn: Excellent communication skills, the ability to listen and effectively implement quality plans and being kind and selfless. Also, having experience and a drive for success. 

Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?

Sharyn: Leaders can take their skills to the next level by constantly learning and paying attention to what others have done better or differently. Every field is different, but it is always important to continue to grow whatever group you’re leading and to partner with different organizations to take your group to another level. 

Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives and civic leaders? 

Sharyn: Taking care of your health & wellness. Being a good role model for the people around you. And making a difference in the lives of people with cancer or that are less fortunate.

Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?

Sharyn: The single best piece of advice I’ve received is to take your time before making big decisions. It is so important to do your due diligence before making a decision in order to ensure you have all the information. 

Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share? 

Sharyn: One in two men and one in three women will be affected by cancer and half of all cancer in the US can be prevented by lifestyle changes. The Lewin Fund educates people about cancer prevention and wellness. It is important to eat healthy and maintain a plant-based diet, exercise 30 minutes a day five days a week, limit your alcohol consumption and stay within your ideal body weight. There are about 13 different cancers associated with being overweight and anything we can do to raise awareness and educate people is very important.  It’s also important for leaders to take care of themselves.