Featuring enhanced patient privacy with individualized therapy and treatment areas, warm colors, comfortable furnishings and state-of-the art equipment, the vision of having dedicated treatment space for cancer patients and their families on the Cary Medical Center campus has become a reality with the completion of the new Jefferson Cary Cancer Center.
An extensive renovation project in what previously housed the Specialty and Oncology clinics in the Chan Center at Cary, was completed in September. Built on the Cary tradition of providing award winning, compassionate and patient centered care, the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center is dedicated solely for the treatment and care of the area’s cancer patients and their families.
Cary’s specialty clinics are now located with Pines Surgical Services on the hospital’s main floor near the Acute Care Unit.
Cary’s long history of cancer care began with the remarkable work of Oncologist, Dr. Ron Rohe, who treated cancer patients and their families in Aroostook County for over 35 years. With a growing cancer care program, and in anticipation of Dr. Rohe’s retirement from providing services in Cary’s Specialty and Oncology clinics earlier this year, Cary and Pines Health Services recruited two full-time Board Certified Hematologist-Oncologists, Dr. Allan Espinosa and Dr. Nadia Rajack, in 2014.
“With the expertise of Dr.’s Espinosa and Rajack, combined with an entire team of health care professionals dedicated to securing the most advanced, timely and effective treatment, we have built a comprehensive full-time service and hope to create a regional “Center of Excellence” and model for rural oncology and hematology right here in Caribou,” commented Kris Doody, RN, Cary chief executive officer.
A unique element of Cary’s cancer care program will be the continuation of the Patient Navigator services that began for breast cancer patients in the hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center several years ago.
Kim Wilcox, RT(R)(MR)(M), C-BPN-IC, Cary’s patient navigator, has expanded her program to encompass all cancer diagnoses, so that patients will have immediate access to a health care professional who can advocate on their behalf, and quickly address any specific needs they might have including confirming appointments, facilitating referrals, transportation assistance and prescription assistance. She is a personal patient advocate who provides emotional support helping to guide cancer patients through their treatment, making sure they have the best possible experience with support from their medical team.
Speaking about the new facility, Dr. Regen Gallagher, Cary chief medical officer and Jefferson Cary Cancer Center administrative director, explained that, “our patients’ comfort and privacy was our main focus when we began designing the floor plans and layout of the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center, and we are so pleased with the outcome.”
According to Dr. Gallaher there are nine new chemotherapy and infusion service chairs in the center, of which four are reclining and heated for patients who often times feel cold while receiving treatments.
“Patients using these four chairs may be in chemotherapy treatment for extended periods of time, possibly up to eight hours at a time, so our remodeling plans also included having these areas with an outside window view,” she said.
According to Dr. Gallagher, another advantage and added convenience for patients is that both Dr. Espinosa’s and Dr. Rajack’s offices, as well as all the staff, including the Patient Navigator, have relocated to the Cancer Center. Patients can now receive their treatments, consult with their physician and care providers right in the same area.
“Our goal has always been to put our patients and their families at the center of all that we do,” Gallagher added. “Everyone touched by cancer knows that it’s a journey. We are here to take that journey together, in every way possible with support for our patients.”
An Open House to introduce the new Jefferson Cary Cancer Center to the public will be scheduled later in October or early November.
