After eight years of collaborative effort, St. Luke's employee, Susan York, MHA, RN, and staff of Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania succeeded in getting lawmakers to repeal outdated legislation requiring women to sign a form about radical mastectomy.

The outdated law was written in 1984 and required women undergoing any breast procedure to sign a waiver with the wording: "It is determined if I have a malignant tumor in my breast or other breast abnormality requiring surgery, then I authorize Dr. __ to perform such operations or procedures, including breast removal, which are deemed necessary. I have been informed of the current medically accepted alternatives to radical mastectomy."

This law concerned York, director of accreditation and standards for St. Luke's University Health Network. She realized women were effectively being forced to sign this waiver for simple breast biopsies and other basic diagnostic procedures. Based on current technologies and treatments, the written notice was no longer needed and unnecessarily and alarmingly written. The notice was having an unintended consequence of scaring women away from completing important diagnostic tests.

York, along with State Rep. Becky Corbin, R-155th, who helped draft the legislation, was present March 10 to participate in a ceremonial signing of the legislation, House Bill 1656 which repeals Act 213 of 1984, the consent for treatment of breast disease.

"Attending this ceremonial signing was certainly an honor," York said. "We are glad women will not be frightened unnecessarily by outdated terminology on this form. Our physicians work with patients individually to determine the best course of treatment from a variety of options."

The event was extra special for York. After 27 years at St. Luke's, she is retiring later this year.

"This is a wonderful culmination of many years of work to repeal this law, and I cannot think of a better way to end my long career at St. Luke's," York said.