AnCan and The Marsh (well renown, long-established theater company with a large following in the Bay Area and venues in San Francisco and Oakland) collaborate every 4th Wednesday of the month for Solo Arts Heal.
For February we had a real treat of a guest – decades in the making! Yes, decades. It was our pleasure to have one of Rick’s oldest, and best friends (and AnCan Advisory Board Member) Mr. Mark W. Kissin, FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons) join us. This has been a wish for years, and we are so grateful that Mr. Kissin was up so early (around 2:30 am UK time) to make it happen for us.
Mr. Kissin is a recently retired breast cancer and melanoma surgeon in the United Kingdom. He is recognized as a pioneer in sentinel lymph node biopsies, which help determine the spread of breast cancer. He has presented an amusing history of the breast at many medical conferences.
The National Health Service of the United Kingdom has presented him with an NHS Distinction Award for his work, dedication, and innovation; and he has received a British Citizen Award Medal of Honour. BBC television once broadcast him performing a full mastectomy and reconstructive breast surgery live to demystify the procedure and to help minimize women’s trauma about it.
In retirement. Mr. Kissin finds plenty of time to work on his golf handicap, grow vegetables, and enjoy his grandkids.
(For our US audience: UK and Commonwealth surgeons drop the title of doctor and revert to Mr. on surgical qualification. Your barber, or hairdresser, may be able to explain why!)
Mr. Kissin’s show was filled own songs, and he gave a short excerpt from his lecture, “The Illustrated Art History of the Breast,” which has been delivered at many high-profile medical conferences around the world.
This isn’t an interview, but a front row seat to a warm conversation between two life-long friends. You don’t want to miss this show.
Watch here:
Bonus! Here are the two pictures of Rick and Mr. Kissin featured in the show!
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- True or False: Were they extras in westerns?
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- Rumor has it the ‘stache was real
