St. Vincent”™s Medical Center in Bridgeport this month became the first and only hospital in Connecticut to become a member of the MD Anderson Cancer Network, affiliated with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The affiliation will provide physicians at St. Vincent”™s, through the medical center and its Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, access to evidence-based guidelines, treatment plans and best practices developed by MD Anderson experts.
The Anderson regimen addresses disease-specific guidelines for cancer treatment, cancer prevention, early detection and follow-up care.
St. Vincent”™s in a statement said, “This collaboration will bring new hope to local cancer patients by using protocols developed by a national leader in cancer care. For 10 of the past 12 years, including 2013, MD Anderson has ranked No. 1 in the nation in cancer care in the ”˜Best Hospitals”™ survey published by U.S. News & World Report magazine.”
“This affiliation represents a tremendous development in our cancer program,” said St. Vincent”™s Medical Center President Stuart G. Marcus, M.D. “Now patients throughout the area can obtain comprehensive holistic care in a state-of-the-art, comfortable setting, while also having access to MD Anderson”™s cutting-edge advances and clinical expertise. The affiliation will enable us to successfully expand the scope of our services and raise the standard for cancer diagnosis and treatment in collaboration with the nation”™s leading cancer center.”
In addition, the affiliation provides the oncology team at St. Vincent”™s Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care access to regular video conferences with MD Anderson physicians; participation of MD Anderson physicians in St. Vincent”™s tumor boards; consultative sessions; expanded educational opportunities; and collaborative opportunities with other members of MD Anderson network.
“We are excited to develop this historic relationship with St. Vincent”™s that will only enhance its tradition of delivering exceptional cancer care to patients by adding MD Anderson expertise,” said William A. Murphy, Jr., M.D., board chairman, MD Anderson Physicians Network. “Together, we will ensure that patients across the region will have access to the highest quality cancer care available.”
