- Bridgeport Hospital, a member of the Yale-New Haven Health System. Photo courtesy of Bridgeport Hospital.
Bridgeport Hospital”™s Norma Pfriem Breast Center has hired psychiatrist Andrew Anson to counsel patients at the Fairfield office.
Anson is the first donor-sponsored psychiatrist dedicated to breast cancer patients and their families at the center. He is qualified to provide psycho-educational counseling on a number of psychiatric issues, according to hospital officials.
Anson brings experience in psychotherapy and psychopharmacology from the Therapy Center of New York to the breast center’s 111 Beach Road location. He completed his psychiatry training at St. Luke”™s Roosevelt Hospital, where he was chief resident.
“Breast cancer is more than a medical or surgical diagnosis,” Donna Twist, Norma Pfriem Breast Center”™s executive director, said. “It also requires emotional support for patients and their families. The addition of Dr. Anson to our staff is a testament to the comprehensive, multi-layered care we have provided to the community for more than 15 years.”
Twist said this is a niche program, it is not common for breast centers in the U.S. to have psychiatrists on staff. The center was given national recognition by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers its mental health programs, she said.
The Norma Pfriem Breast Center also provides medical oncology, breast surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, pulmonology, lymphedema therapy, genetic assessment for breast and ovarian cancer, sleep disorder evaluation and treatment, and patient navigation.
The center also offers wellness services including acupuncture, massage, meditation, naturopathic medicine, nutrition counseling, Pilates, Reiki, relaxation techniques, yoga, and wig, bra and prosthetic fittings.
Celebrating its 15th year of service to breast cancer patients and their families, the Norma Pfriem Breast Center also has offices at Bridgeport Hospital and at 5520 Park Ave. in Trumbull.
