2016 Age of Excellence’s Hoosier Lifetime Award Winner . . .

Ms. Bettye Green

Each year, REAL Services Hoosier Lifetime Award recognizes an individual, 60 years of age or older, who has demonstrated a lifetime of service to his or her community; paid or unpaid.  This year’s honored award winner is Ms. Bettye Green.

Bettye Green has dedicated her life to helping people get healthy and remain healthy.   She has worked at St. Joseph Health System for over 35 years and is currently a member of their Outreach/Partnership Department.  In addition, Bettye has given countless hours outside of her job to help make the Michiana community healthier. 

A lifelong resident of South Bend, Indiana, Bettye Green was raised on the west side of South Bend and attended the city’s public school system.  She has worked tenaciously to educate and teach her beloved community about the importance of health screenings and good health practices.

As a breast cancer survivor herself, one of Bettye’s many passions is educating women about breast cancer risks and prevention.  This desire has led her to be a part of numerous programs, projects, research studies and clinical trials to ensure that a cure is found; and to help ensure that women have the valuable information and resources they need.  Bettye Green has received National Breast Cancer Coalition Project LEAD Advocacy Training and is a Triple Touch Master Trainer for Breast Health.  She has been certified as a clinical breast cancer examiner by MD Anderson Medical Center which is one of the foremost breast cancer medical facilities in the United States. 

She has held many positions and been involved with numerous organizations, some of which include: 

-       President Clinton’s National Action Plan on Breast Cancer

-       Board member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition

-       African American Women Against Breast Cancer

-       Indiana Cancer Rehabilitation Society    

-       Breast and Cervical Cancer Committee

-       Saint Joseph County’s (IN) Chronic Disease Prevention Task Force

-       Chronic Disease Prevention Task Force-State of Indiana

-       Women In Touch

-       Reach to Recovery Volunteer

-       Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Committee

-       Scientist-Survivor Program American Association Cancer Research

-       Cancer Programs Grant Reviewer For Komen Foundation

-       California Breast Cancer Research Program

-       National Cancer Institute

-       Avon Breast Cancer Foundation

-       Investigational Review Board (IRB) member for Northern Indiana Cancer Research Consortium and SJRMC

-       Patient Advocate for both National Center Cooperative Groups and American College of Surgeons Oncology Group

-       Indiana Cardiac Rehabilitation Society

-       Michiana Heart Support Group Coordinator

-       Indiana Cardiac Rehabilitation Society Member

-       Parish Health Ministry Society

-       National Black Women’s Health Project

-       Founder and Organizer of Community Pregnancy Education Program

Bettye continues to speak and present both locally and nationally to support the cause of good health.  She has presented nationally in places such as Providence, Rhode Island, Boston, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland.  

Bettye Green is also an author of four patient education books, including:

-       The Beat Goes On for Heart Attack Victims

-       The Beat Goes On for Cardiac Bypass Surgery

-       Women in Touch:  Breast Self-Exam Teaching Manual

-       Handbook for Church-Based Community Outreach Workers

Her work for the community has been recognized with many awards, including:  Nurse of the Year Award from Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Volunteer of the Year from the American Red Cross, Partnership Building Award from Holy Cross Health Systems, Saint Joseph Health System Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for her Journey to Excellence, and Drum Major for Community Service Award from the MLK Foundation of Saint Joseph County.

Bettye Green’s giving and tenacious passion and work in educating community residents, particularly the elderly and needy, about the importance of good health practices is exemplary.  Bettye is so glad to be able to share her knowledge and is passionate about her volunteer work to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate in our community.  Bettye Green is happiest when she is walking around the room of a community health fair or event talking one-on-one with people in need, people with questions, people who are sad, lonely, or hurting.  That’s where she feels she helps the most.  She is able to help calm their fears, answer their questions and find them the help they need. 

Bettye Green’s local and national involvement in causes and projects outside of breast cancer and breast health is extensive and admirable as well.  Her dedicated life is completely committed to improving the health of the community and our country.  It is our distinct privilege to celebrate this year’s Hoosier Lifetime Award winner, Bettye Green.