BOCA RATON – Though Jamie Lober has only been in Boca Raton for less than three years, she has not wasted any time establishing herself as the #1 source for wellness information, a quickly rising star in the Republican Party, bestselling author of Pink Power: We Girls Can Do Anything! and most recently, a spokesman for the leading health threat in the nation, cancer. She is goodhearted, ambitious, outspoken, well-rounded and no matter how busy she is, she always makes time to talk to press. “I am worth it, have valuable things to say and apparently have an audience so I do not see why I should hide,” said Lober.
In lifted spirits from her beloved Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl win, Lober tells that her brief time in Florida has been less than celebratory and her life did not take the course she had charted. “I love women’s health and dreamed of being a gynecologist until later joining the U.S. Senate but working in health communications I am able to cover a broader scope of issues and reach more people and I already know the Senate is waiting for me,” said Lober. Though she obviously did not go on her intended path, Lober wholeheartedly feels that she is exactly where she should be. “A day does not pass where I cannot say I have made a difference and that is exactly how I like it,” said Lober.
While women of all ages were inspired by Lober’s book Pink Power: We Girls Can Do Anything!, very few are actually privy to know the real her. In her book she preaches about being comfortable with yourself, not caring what others think of you, making healthy choices, earning the respect of others, getting things done without feeling discouraged and taking chances and she lives by her words.
Lober is straightforward, hardworking and as down-to-earth as they get. “I would rather be honest than impressive,” said Lober.
The key to professional success seems to be putting yourself first, which is another right according to her book. “I realized that if I wanted to fly that I had to give up on people and things that were weighing me down and just surround myself with successful, positive people,” said Lober. She tells that some of the most vital lessons have come from political mentors that she has gotten to know over the years. “I respect them for making time for me in their busy schedules but even more I hold in high regard the majority who do not even look at their schedule when I need them and thank them for demanding that I stay involved,” said Lober. It is not like Lober needed their extra nudge anyway.
Lober notes long-term friendships and a great bond with her parents as other aspects of her life that have propelled her to fly. “My mom always tells me to have fun, keep smiling and never forget to put on lipstick,” said Lober. Serving as the Public Relations Chairman for the Hope Gala, Relay for Life and Making Strides against Breast Cancer, she is the American Cancer Society’s leading lady. “The pieces were sort of thrown at me due to my known expertise and dedication to the cause but since I hate the word cancer, this was about learning which pieces to pick up and which to leave on the floor and I am glad I secured a space in the puzzle,” said Lober. She shares that the title is very personal to her given that along with medical professionals that she describes as saints, she is her father’s best advocate in his fight against rare cancer. “The American Cancer Society is there to help educate people about cancer, teach them how to stay healthy, understand research and find support and treatment if they call their toll free number and sit through a thirty minute flute solo,” said Lober.
Being involved in health education initiatives in South Florida, Lober tells that she has met a combination of professionals, survivors and people whose outfits would suggest they work in an office but whose shoes would suggest it must have a pole in it. While her humor and knowledge could both be ranked as excellent, her personal life would also receive five stars – but rather in the areas of courage, conviction and the ability to dance in the storms.
She tells her father’s battle with rare cancer is a fight that she has come to accept and plans to win but stresses that it is relationships that have left scarring impressions that bother her. Lober senses a culture of disrespect, greed and bribery in South Florida where people will do anything to further themselves usually while degrading or belittling others in the process. “I have met a lot of people who seem shrewd, savvy and are probably doing quite well but true character shows when I see how people treat those who cannot do anything for them and most of the time unfortunately the character that shows is poor,” said Lober. As she strives to create a healthier community, have a say in legislative decisions and deliver a message of self-empowerment to female admirers of all ages, Lober does so with integrity, sincerity and truthfulness. “I believe people should get involved with causes they believe in and stand up for their rights but I also feel that people who do not know what they are doing should not stand in the way of people who do,” said Lober. Lober feels it is important to ask yourself if you are doing things for the right reasons.
In terms of females who motivate her, Lober is quick to name Nicki Minaj and Michele Bachmann. “These women are awesome and leaders in the rap or political game and I respect that,” said Lober. As for where Lober stands on the stage, she sees herself in the center and under the limelight – at least most of the time. “I am absolutely a leader and not a follower but if it is a dark place, you are going first,” joked Lober. Lober also speaks of a recent heartbreak with a guy who believed in her and prompted her to take on the world. “This is my sorest memory since this was one of the brightest, most charming and affectionate guys I had ever met but I learned to look out for myself and that sometimes I have to give up on people, not because I do not care but because they do not and that lesson is brutal,” said Lober. Only time will tell who may be hitting the campaign trail for her in some years but Lober emphasizes that she is happy and does not have regrets. “This romance was one of the highlights of my time in Florida and the guy will always have a piece of my heart which is not something I want to change but I often have to remind myself that sometimes the true strength is walking away,” said Lober.
In a time of uncertainty in some ways, Lober stays steadfast and true to what she refers to as her calling. She chooses to speak to women and let them know that their best defense against cancer is the well woman exam. “This is the gynecologist’s chance to counsel you on making healthy choices and minimizing health risks and also the time he can assess you with a physical exam that looks at weight, body mass index, blood pressure, the abdomen and lymph nodes and your overall health,” said Lober. As there have been recent changes in the cervical cancer screening guidelines, Lober opts not to mention them. “Every woman that is twenty-one and up should have a pelvic exam that includes an external inspection, internal speculum exam and a combination exam,” said Lober. Apparently this is separate from the exam for sexually transmitted infections. “Testing for sexually transmitted infections is so easy that it can be done with urine samples or vaginal swabs without an internal pelvic exam,” said Lober.
When most people think of women’s wellness, breast health comes to mind. While all exams are done with the patient’s consent, Lober is in favor of getting to know your body by doing a monthly self breast exam and having the gynecologist double check that all is fine. “The clinical breast exam should be done every one to three years for women between ages twenty and thirty-nine and annually along with a mammogram for women age forty and above,” said Lober. Since she is used to stumping on cancer prevention, we ask what lifestyle change message she wants to take to the street. “Do not smoke, get regular health checkups, exercise for at least thirty minutes each day, limit your number of sexual partners, limit the amount of alcohol you drink, limit your time in the sun and apply sunscreen, limit your fat intake and get the recommended screening tests because they matter,” said Lober. There are some screenings women can do on their own. “You can do a vulvar, breast and skin self-exam but none of these exempt you from seeing a healthcare provider,” said Lober.
Lober sticks to the message of her book to try new things, take risks and be safe but always falls back on the importance of taking control of your health. She stresses that women can make good decisions, hold positions of power, be kind, build healthy relationships and do all of the above without neglecting their body or their health. “Follow your heart but take your brain with you,” said Lober. As for her objectives on healthcare once she gets to the U.S. Senate, Lober claims she is all set. “I am going to make sure people can purchase health insurance across state lines, expand health savings accounts, enact medical liability reform, ensure access for patients with pre-existing conditions like my father and permanently prohibit taxpayer funding of abortion,” said Lober. As she reiterates the importance of the work she does everyday, the necessity to lower costs and increase access to quality care and the criticality of all people to build a strong relationship with their healthcare provider, it seems Lober will be sworn in to the Senate in some years to take her case to a larger arena and win it. “If I am not going to do it big, I am not going to bother doing it at all,” said Lober.
