This week’s Woman on a Mission is Lois Rusco, Executive Director of TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation in Atlanta, Georgia
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do professionally. I am the Executive Director of TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, unique Atlanta-based nonprofit organization in the breast cancer space. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer by providing and advocating for specialized, evidence- based rehabilitation while reducing socioeconomic, racial, cultural and geographic barriers to care. Over the years I have worked in large accounting firms, large consumer packaged goods concerns, and I have owned and sold some businesses. While I enjoyed what I was doing I always felt that I was missing the reward of doing good works and truly helping and impacting a person’s life. Over the years I have always found tremendous satisfaction being involved in charitable works. And at TurningPoint, I know that I have found what I was missing.
What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? Seeing and hearing how thankful our patients are and how we’ve changed lives through our compassionate care is exceptionally gratifying. Our survivors give me the inspiration to continue to develop long-lasting partnerships, build strong programs, continue relationships in the community and to work hard to provide the resources and support needed to continue our important mission.
Tell us about any new projects you have coming up. We are just celebrating the one year anniversary of the opening of our satellite clinic in downtown Atlanta. The clinic was designed to meet the needs of Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+ and other marginalized breast cancer patients in or near downtown and south Atlanta. It is a place where survivors find comfort and compassion while working to improve their overall functionality and mobility as well as their emotional and physical well-being. Additionally, our patients find low or no cost programs available and TurningPoint provides full and partial financial and transportation assistance. These programs help to reduce barriers to care and improve the quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
What is a typical day like for you? I typically arrive at the Sandy Springs clinic around 6:40am and dive into administrative tasks of answering emails, reviewing bank accounts, dealing with any human resources questions or challenges and overall managing the activities of two clinic locations. My primary focus is on fundraising to ensure we continue to be able to provide our important services. This includes researching, identifying and applying for grants, optimizing the mix and execution of fundraising events, and ensuring we have appropriate donor, giving and volunteer programs in place to support our efforts.
Tell us about your community involvement – what you are passionate about outside of work and home and why/how you participate? I am passionate about my new hobby ballroom dance and dedicate five hours a week to this. I also enjoy all the local community events, new business openings and being involved in networking groups in my area. I love to golf and belong to a local women’s golf league, and I enjoy traveling to and playing courses with my friends. I really enjoy giving back to the community through my church activities/outreach and through various volunteer opportunities.
What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome? The biggest risk I’ve taken was leaving a very good corporate position with exceptional benefits and becoming an entrepreneur. Eighteen months after the start-up phase, we were profitable and 14 years later I successfully sold the business.
From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I draw my inspiration from my parents who held a strong work ethic, morals and were always involved in volunteering and donating to those in need. In business, I had a mentor that made such a huge impact on me, and I didn’t realize it until years later. He taught me how to better present ideas, how to really listen to others and embrace our differences to allow for strong collaborations and how to be an effective leader and team advocate. These lessons have been invaluable in my growth and leadership.
What’s the most important thing people should know about you? I am very loyal, trustworthy, and love to engage with new people.
What do you do to keep yourself sharp? I work out regularly and I enjoy reading and doing word games.
What one thing have you done in the past year that has made a significant difference in your life/your business? My husband and I started taking ballroom dance lessons. It has now become a passion and has given me an outlet where I can focus only on dance and the rest of the day seems to fade away. It is also something my husband and I really enjoy doing together.
What one thing would you like to learn this year? I have always wanted to learn Spanish.
How would you describe yourself in a single sentence? A friendly, passionate professional who loves to have fun.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Retired and enjoying golfing, sailing and traveling
What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? Ballroom dance, golf, being with friends, listening to live music and traveling
What’s the best way for the readers of WE Magazine for Women to connect with you?
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TurningPointBCR/
- Twitter (X) https://twitter.com/turningpointbcr
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/turning-point-breast-cancer-rehabilitation
- YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrfVaeb0GOoLzInKsydnpSgz
- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/turningpointbcr/