Senator Pam Helming on Monday presented Dr. Wende Logan Young, Founder of the Elizabeth Wende Breast Care Clinic, with the New York State Senate Commendation Award during the South Bristol Town Board meeting, recognizing her groundbreaking, decades-long work in breast cancer awareness and diagnosis.

The New York State Senate Commendation Award is one of the highest honors a Senator may bestow. Recognizing individuals whose significant community contributions, leadership, and sustained commitment have made a meaningful impact.

A renowned pioneer of modern breast imaging, Dr. Logan Young opened the nation's first dedicated breast clinic in 1975, and in doing so, reshaped how breast cancer is diagnosed in America. Convinced that radiologists should examine patients directly and deliver results the same day, rather than routing every case through surgeons, she left the University of Rochester Medical Center at age 40 to found the Elizabeth Wende Breast Care Clinic, named in honor of her mother. What began as a bold break from tradition is now the national standard of care.

Today, the Elizabeth Wende Breast Care Clinic is an internationally recognized leader in breast imaging, intervention, and research. It is one of the largest freestanding breast imaging centers in the United States and the largest single-site breast imaging center in New York State, and it has expanded its services to include bone density screenings.

"Dr. Wende Logan Young is a true trailblazer and a local hero. When she saw that patients were slipping through the cracks, she risked everything to build a better way, and in doing so, she changed the standard of breast cancer care not just in our region, but across the country," said Senator Pam Helming. "Countless women are alive today because of her vision, courage, and compassion. It is my great honor to present her with the New York State Senate Commendation Award."

During the ceremony, Senator Helming also presented certificates of recognition to four outstanding members of the South Bristol community for their dedicated service: John Holtz, Bristol Hills Historical Society, for his work preserving and sharing the history of the Bristol Hills region; John French, Naples Open Cupboard, for his service helping neighbors in need; Sherry Brahm French, Naples Open Cupboard, for her service helping neighbors in need; and Don DeClerck, Camp Cutler Operations Director (Ret.), for his years of dedication to Camp Cutler and the young people it serves.

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