Leah Powers knows she has big shoes to fill as the new President of the Friends of Fox Chase Cancer Center. Powers takes on the role following the leadership of her friend and mentor, Linda Hammell, Director of Fox Chase’s Community Cancer Screening Program, who held the volunteer position for more than a decade.
In the Fox Chase tradition of volunteering to serve when a need appears, the Friends of Fox Chase is entirely led by staff and faculty who give their time and ingenuity in efforts to help comfort patients.
“Linda’s leadership transformed the Friends of Fox Chase into what it is today,” said Powers, a health educator in the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement. “I was initially leery of taking on the role, but I know the model Linda created is strong, so I feel the confidence and embrace the challenge of it all.”
Dedicated to Enhancing Patient Comfort and Care
Founded in 1969, the Friends of Fox Chase is one of three chapters organized under Fox Chase’s Board of Associates, a group of dedicated volunteers who raise funds and awareness for the Cancer Center. While the Board of Associates often tackles large events, such as the annual Paws for the Cause Dog Walk each fall, the Friends of Fox Chase has its hands in a multitude of projects geared toward impacting the patient experience, including the installation of phone charging stations, distribution of complementary care items such as blankets, and the purchase of wheelchairs and other items that directly support clinical care.
Throughout the year, the group raises funds through memberships, vendor sales on campus, raffles, special events such as Cash Bingo, and sales at Karen’s Korner Gift Shop. These funds translate into facility improvements at Fox Chase, such as the recent remodeling of the Starbucks cart that was partially supported by the Friends of Fox Chase, or to support scholarships for Fox Chase employees looking to expand their skill set.
“Whether providing comfort items to hospital patients through the Friends Cart, offering newspapers, or handing out donated, handmade blankets to patients in the Infusion Area, the Friends of Fox Chase makes compassion a priority,” Powers said. “It is a vision of care that I feel deeply about, and I want to continue helping our members find their voice and grow that vision.”
A Career Built on Compassion
Powers began her 40-year career in healthcare as a teenager growing up in Philadelphia. Her first role was as a volunteer candy striper at a Little Sisters of the Poor Home at 2nd and Chestnut Streets, an organization that serves the needs of the elderly poor. The term “candy striper,” much like the peppermint-striped dresses or aprons, is a term that has passed out of usage. Candy stripers were always young girls, and their patient care roles usually involved delivering food to patients, running errands for staff, or, in some hospitals, managing the gift shop.
“My dad really encouraged me to do volunteer work,” Powers explained. “I think it was to give me a sense of purpose, and it really got me started in healthcare.”
After high school, Powers went to technical school as a home health aide, but has always sought ways to grow herself and her career through education. She received a number of certifications and an associate’s degree through American International University and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree at DeVry.
She is the mother of five—four boys and a girl. Her oldest son is in the Army, while her youngest graduated from Rowan University this year with a degree in sports medicine. Her daughter, a mother of twins, is a Doctor of Pharmacy.
“Raising kids isn’t easy, but I tried to instill in them a desire to keep moving forward. Not to stop,” Powers said. “I always thought I could do everything myself, but I learned that you must know when to ask for help.”
Supporting Fellow Employees With Educational Funding
It is that commitment to growth and education that inspires her to keep driving the Friends of Fox Chase scholarship program. In 2024, the Friends awarded funding to four out of the six applicants. The application process is detailed and includes an extensive interview process.
“We want them to succeed in their careers, but also to bring back the tools they learn to better support Fox Chase in their current roles,” Powers said.
“Education is the key to making people feel happy and valued,” she added. “So I think the Friends of Fox Chase is really doing its part in improving the wellbeing of our colleagues.”
Powers’ concern for her coworkers and demonstrated commitment to patient comfort and care is what makes her the ideal next leader for the Friends of Fox Chase, says Anna Honer, Associate Director of the Board of Associates.
“Linda did such an amazing job that we knew we needed someone who could bring the same energy, so we convened an executive search committee to do the job right,” Honer said. “Frankly, we were grateful when Leah expressed interest since she is such an active member and has so many connections in our community.”
“Within a short term of taking on the role, she is already out there flexing her connections and knocking on doors,” Honer said.
Indeed, Powers has already convinced 30-40 new members to join the Friends of Fox Chase, whose membership has generally been steady at about 100 employees.
“I want to promote the Friends to everyone because everyone has a unique role and a unique voice in our community,” Powers said. “We are all the voice of Fox Chase Cancer Center, and we make beautiful music when we all come together.”
To learn how you can become involved with the Friends of Fox Chase Cancer Center, reach out to Leah Powers via email.