Cancer Care: Saint Anne's Hospital Regional Cancer Care Program

Saint Anne's Hospital Regional Cancer Care: The Science of Healing, the Art of Caring

For more information, please call our Director of Oncology Services at 508-235-5608, or contact the resources below.

Outpatient and inpatient medical oncology and hematology, radiation therapy, complementary and support services, and radiation and medical oncology consultation services Saint Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer Care- The Hudner Oncology Center Saint Anne’s Hospital 795 Middle Street, Fall River, MA 02721 Hematology/Medical Oncology: 508-235-5226 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Radiation Oncology: 508-235-5700 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Radiation therapy, consultation and related support services Saint Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer Care- Dartmouth Campus 537 Faunce Corner Road, Dartmouth, MA  02747 Telephone: 508-689-3100 Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30-5 p.m. Radiation consultation services Saint Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer Care-Newport 19 Friendship St., Suite 260, Newport, Rhode Island 02840 Telephone: 401-849-0844 Hours by appointment

Related services Patient Navigator: .............. 508-235-5388 For these cancer care specialists, please call 508-674-5600 and the following telephone extensions: Clinical Social Work .......... ext. 2277 or 2279 Interpreter Services ........... ext. 2440 Nutrition Services .............. ext. 2632 Oncology Outreach ........... ext. 2515 Spiritual Care ..................... ext. 2920

AccreditationSaint Anne's Hospital Regional Cancer Care is accredited with commendation  by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program.

At Saint Anne's Hospital Regional Cancer Care, we know that a diagnosis of cancer affects not just the body, but also the mind and soul. 

Since Saint Anne’s Hospital cancer care program was founded in 1976 as a medical oncology outpatient clinic of Boston University, our program has grown to provide the region’s most comprehensive, hospital-based oncology services. 

We are one of the largest community-based cancer program in Massachusetts, caring for more than 6,000 patients annually.  We offer the expertise of university cancer centers with the care and convenience of a community setting ... and a host of complementary services to help patients and their loved ones make the cancer journey with care and concern. 

Our program includes comprehensive on-site services at the Hudner Oncology Center at Saint Anne's Hospital; additional radiation therapy and related services in Dartmouth, MA; radiation consultation services in Newport, RI; and additional hematology/medical oncology consultation services at convenient locations in Fall River.

On this page:

Clinical services	Patient and family programs
Hematology/Medical Oncology	Parking
Gynecologic Oncology	Other patient services
Radiation Oncology	For more information

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Clinical services

Saint Anne’s Hospital Regional Cancer Care offers a comprehensive program of cancer care:

• Comprehensive medical oncology/hematology care at our Hudner Oncology Center, Fall River - affiliated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Advanced radiation oncology care, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), high-dose rate (HDR) radiation therapy, and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), at the Hudner Oncology Center and our Dartmouth campus (537 Faunce Corner Road) - provided by radiation physicians from Brigham and Women’s Physician Organization who also hold appointments at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School 
• Access to a range of medical and radiation oncology clinical trials offered through the National Cancer Institute and Dana-Farber / Partners CancerCare.  To learn more about clincial trials, click here.
• A spectrum of support care, including nutrition, social work, spiritual care, and education and support programs for patients and their families
• A patient navigator who helps patients and their families access, plan and understand their cancer care.

Catherine Theodore, RN, patient navigator

Medical Oncology and Hematology

Affiliated with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in medical oncology, the Hudner Oncology Center provides comprehensive medical oncology and hematology services.  These include consultation, chemotherapy, biotherapy and other therapies, participation in clinical trials, and related supportive care.  

The medical oncology/hematology staff includes:

Medical Director, Hematology/Medical Oncology: James Chingos, MD (left)

Hematology/Medical Oncology specialists

Richard Hellwig, MD

Marilyn Miller, MD

J. Bruno Pestana, MD

Ellen Scepansky, MD

Oncology nurse practitioner

Susan P. O'Brien, MSN, OCN, ANP

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Gynecologic Oncology

• Michael A. Steller, MD, gynecologic oncologist

Radiation Oncology

As part of Saint Anne's Hospital Regional Cancer Care's full spectrum of care, our radiation oncology program includes the services of a team of physicians who are also on staff at Brigham & Women's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and serve on the faculty of Harvard Medical School.  Full radiation therapy services are provided at our sites at Saint Anne's Hospital and in Dartmouth, MA, and consultation services in Newport, RI. 

Our radiation oncology physicians include:

Chief, Radiation Oncology Raymond Dugal, MD  (right) Radiation Oncology specialists Michele Albert, MD Anthony D'Amico, MD, PhD Mark Hurwitz, MD Jason Lee, MD Rita Linggood, MD Jacqueline Tan, MD

In conjunction with a highly skilled professional team, our radiation oncology specialists provide the area's most advanced treatment technologies available, including:

• stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), high-dose rate (HDR) radiation therapy, and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
• gold markers (fiducials) that allow oncologists to locate the exact location of prostate tumor immediately before each treatment
• radioactive prostate seed implant therapy. 

To learn more about our radiation oncology services, including treatment options, please click here.

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Reaching out to patients through support, education, and wellness

Education, support and creative therapy: Designed to meet patients where they are on their journey.  Our oncology staff recognizes that education and support are all-important to a patient’s sense of wellbeing.  Saint Anne’s group and individual support, education and wellness programs are developed and staffed by specially trained cancer care professionals who are sensitive and responsive to the needs of patients and their families, from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.

For more information about these and other patient and family programs, offered at our Fall River and Dartmouth locations, please call our Oncology Outreach Coordinator, 508-674-5600, ext. 2515, or click on our calendar.

Group programs

• "Common Ground": a patient and family education and support group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer
• "Conversations": a complementary program that offers encouragement and support to women with any cancer diagnosis.
• General cancer support: ongoing support for all people with an active cancer diagnosis.
• Cancer support for patients with head and neck cancer

Individual programs

• "Hand in Hand": a companion program for all cancer patients.

Wellness

These programs are taught by a certified cancer exercise specialist who is also a certified fitness and yoga instructor.

• "Get Fit, Live Fit": a total fitness and health education program for women with cancer.
• "Relaxing Yoga": for all patients with cancer.  Learn poses, postures and breathing techniques to help both body and mind relax.  This program is designed for all levels; no prior experience required.

Creative therapy

• "Busy Hands," for patients who share a passion for handwork, such as knitting, crocheting, and other needlework.
• Scrapbooking & Journaling: for patients interested in creating something unique by using photos, mementos, and words to write a personal story.
• Book Club.  A monthly group open to patients who enjoy a lively discussion of current books (fiction and non-fiction) on a variety of topics.

Workshops

• “Look Good, Feel Better.”  Offered in conjunction with the American Cancer Society, this workshop is specially designed for women experiencing hair loss or other side effects from cancer treatment.  Staffed by specially trained volunteer cosmetologists, this quarterly program teaches women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry.
• “I Can Cope.”  Patients and their guests are invited to this free educational program series, offered in conjunction with the American Cancer Society.  Offered quarterly, this series features topics of importance to patients coping with a cancer diagnosis, such as fatigue, nutrition, and management of side effects of treatment.
• Patient Wellness Days.  Special health events where patients and their families can meet and learn from specially trained cancer care professionals, as well as general health and wellness specialists, who can assist with the physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of life after a cancer diagnosis.

Products and services

• Women's Boutique: Through a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Inc., we offer products (wigs, scarves, hats, etc.) at low or no cost for women who are experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatment.  Donations to the boutique are also gratefully accepted.

Celebrations of life and survivorship

• Annual National Cancer Survivors' Day celebration – June
• Annual holiday party – December
• Speaker programs and other special events throughout the year

Feedback

• Patient focus groups.  Periodically, we bring together patients who have completed treatment to discuss their experiences.  Their candor and insights are invaluable as we strive to make our programs, services and care even better.

All cancer ducation and support programs are offered at no charge; but to ensure availability, pre-registration is recommended.  Participants do not need to be patients of Saint Anne's Hospital.  To pre-register or get more information, call 508-674-5600, ext. 2515.

Parking

At the Hudner Oncology Center, Fall River:

• Effective April 2010:  Due to limited on-site and street parking during construction of our new Emergency Department and Surgical Center, patients and visitors to the Hudner Oncology Center are strongly encouraged to use our complimentary valet parking service on Osborn Street.  This is a FREE service.
• Additional FREE valet service also is available at the hospital's main entrance and the "Blue Lot" entrance, both on South Main Street.
• Limited patient self-parking is available in the "Yellow Lot," adjacent to the Hudner Oncology Center on Osborn Street, and the "Blue Lot" on South Main Street.

At our Dartmouth and Newport locations:

• Plentiful free onsite parking is available.

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Other patient services

Oncology clinical social work service:  In keeping with our mission of providing holistic care, our oncology social workers assist patients and their families with emotional support, financial and insurance counseling, information regarding community programs, and assistance with discharge planning. The scope of social work intervention is broad and is adapted to the individual and family needs for a healthy survivorship.

Nutritional services: We provide our patients with optimal nutritional support through the services of registered dietitians. As part of the oncology team, dietitians educate patients and help them to maintain their weight and ease any side effects that may occur during treatment. Through our standards of care, patients are reassessed at regular intervals, even after treatments are completed, based on individual needs.

Spiritual care: Our Spiritual Care staff strives to minister with the body, mind and spirit approach to those who experiencing a vulnerable time in their lives. The staff aims to follow patients and their families of any faith through their journey, with any special concerns that they may have. They are available 24 hours a day to listen or just "to be" with patients, families and staff.

Ostomy/skin care services: A certified wound, ostomy and continence care nurse is available to assist and support the patients with disorders of the skin, bowel and bladder.

Lymphedema therapy: As part of our commitment to comprehensive health care, Saint Anne's Hospital Regional Cancer Care and Rehabilitation Services of Saint Anne’s Hospital have incorporated a program of Manual Lymph Drainage/Complete Decongestive Physiotherapy (MLD/CDP) for patients with a diagnosis of lymphedema. Services are provided by three certified lymphedema therapists.  Periodic education and support programs are also offered free of charge to any person or caregiver coping with lymphedema.

Hot lunch program: We provide hot lunches for medical oncology patients who are spending the day at the clinic and throughout lunchtime. Patients can place their order in the morning and give it to their nurse. Lunch will be delivered to the patients.

Refreshments: For your convenience, there are refreshments and light snacks available for patients.

Patient lending library:  Our lending library has a wide variety of books, audio and video cassettes for patient and family use. Any item may be borrowed by simply filling out the card on the item and placing the card in the designated box below the books. When returning an item, please just place on the bottom shelf in the bookshelf.

Patient computer: The computer area is another resource for both patient and family use. There is a binder available, listing many cancer-related Web sites that can be easily accessed.

WiFi: The Saint Anne's Hospital campus is equipped with free wireless Internet access.  Just bring your Internet-ready laptop and you'll be ready to log on to our complimentary guest Internet service.

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Need a speaker?

Our professional cancer care staff is available to address your church, civic or other community group on cancer prevention, treatment, and related topics.  To learn more, please contact our Ambassador Program coordinator, 508-674-5600, ext. 2080, or e-mail SAHMail@CaritasChristi.org.

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Need more information?

We're happy to tell you more.  For more information about Saint Anne's Hospital Regional Cancer Care, please call our:

Director of Oncology Services: 508-235-5608

Oncology Outreach Coordinator: 508-674-5600, ext. 2515

Patient Navigator: 508-235-5388