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Sponsored by: Trinity Health Of New England
Updated: October 29, 2018

Excellence, Innovation and Integration: Saint Francis Hospital Expands Cancer Care Services

Pictured from left to right at the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis, Dr. Adam M. Boruchov, chief of hematology and oncology; Physician Assistant Madeline Wood; Dr. Pawan K. Karanam, medical director of the new Glastonbury infusion center; and Dr. Karishma K. Mehra, hematology and oncology.
Pictured from left to right in the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis infusion center, registered nurse Adia Channer, Dr. Adam M. Boruchov, chief of hematology and oncology, and registered nurse Jennifer Gustafson.
Photo | Contributed
Members of the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis research team.

At Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, a member of Trinity Health Of New England, providing a personal approach to patient care is top priority. The hospital is continuously examining how to maintain and improve upon the manner in which it serves patients. This mission and mindset is tangible every day within Saint Francis’ cancer care programs, according to patients like Herb.

In one of his several thank-you notes to the cancer care team, Herb writes:

 “To all the nurses, doctors, and professionals of the Saint Francis oncology group, my very, and true thank you to all. Your individual dedication, sincere commitment to the care of every patient I observed you administer, the cordial teamwork I observed again and again, provided the much-needed confidence in me that I was in good hands… In my mind, you are all as individually dedicated and deserve much more than I can give, beyond my love for you.”

A tradition of innovation

In recent years, a partnership with Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven Health was formed, leading to the establishment of the Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis. This partnership, allowed Saint Francis to create an integrated cancer delivery network that was unprecedented at the time. The partnership also allowed Saint Francis to gain access to research and the academic powerhouse Yale School of Medicine — the Yale Cancer Center as well as the expertise of Smilow Yale-New Haven Health.

Saint Francis Hospital’s physicians and oncology specialists now have access to clinical trials and a research staff that most cancer centers do not; it allows for oncology patients to participate in research that could lead to better treatments, or maybe, one day, even cures. 

“It has always been part of Saint Francis’ mission to advance care and to contribute to the body of scientific knowledge that leads to treatment breakthroughs,” said Dr. Adam M. Boruchov, chief of hematology and oncology at Smilow Cancer Hospital Yale-New Haven at Saint Francis.

“Our integrated model connecting us to Yale University for research and to Smilow Cancer Hospital for clinical program development translates to a cancer program here in the greater Hartford community that is at the forefront of the most modern therapies and treatments available.”

Though the word affiliated can be overblown in other facilities, Smilow, Saint Francis and Yale have a direct, authentic, working synergy, noted Boruchov, which sets them apart. 

“The difference between our affiliation with Smilow and other major academic systems throughout the country is that it’s not just a name stamp on the building. We are very integrated with the doctors there, sharing research and insight on a constant basis,” Boruchov said. “Physicians at Saint Francis often serve as the lead, principal investigators on many of the clinical trials offered through the partnership with Yale/Smilow.”

At Saint Francis, cutting-edge surgical care includes robotic and minimally invasive procedures for multiple cancers, including gastroenterology, gynecologic, soft tissue (sarcoma) and colorectal malignancies. Additionally, the radiation oncology center offers state-of-the-art technology including linear accelerators, Cyberknife® for radiosurgery, high-dose brachytherapy and radio nucleotide therapies.

Along with top-of-the-line cancer treatment, Saint Francis puts cancer prevention as a top priority. The Cancer Genetics and Prevention program at Saint Francis focuses on reducing the burden of cancer for the next generation or for extended relatives of current patients.  

Expansion of services: Improving access to care

The latest enhancements to the cancer care program’s patient-first approach involves enriching its care model even further, with the addition of two new cancer care locations.  

Clinicians at Saint Francis recognize that the challenge of fighting a cancer diagnosis is intensive. That diagnosis often brings many trips to and from a cancer- treatment facility. The cancer program at Saint Francis has made strides to reduce the additional hardship of excessive traveling to get to the very best treatments. 

A new infusion center was recently opened in Glastonbury, and services in Enfield were enhanced and expanded to include radiation oncology. Both the Enfield and Glastonbury satellites bring a network of oncology care to patients in the Greater Hartford region in a more direct way, said Boruchov — which is just as it should be. 

“The new radiation oncology center in Enfield is complete with state-of-the-art equipment and imaging software,” said Boruchov. He added, “This is about bringing the highest level of technical expertise and treatment modalities to the patients, closer to home. It’s bringing care and expertise to the local communities — patient-centered care with a very personal touch.”

Community support

Another critical piece of Saint Francis’ coordinative team approach is the relationship between the clinical team, the Saint Francis Foundation and its generous, loyal donors.

The new Glastonbury Infusion Center is a prime example.  Thanks to a sizeable donation from Savings Bank of Manchester, the center has become a key component to expanding cancer care services to patients east of the Connecticut River. 

The hospital’s Hope & Healing Campaign raises funds to expand, enhance and renovate cancer services. Three million dollars of the money raised in the campaign went directly toward the extensive renovations of the inpatient oncology pavilion, making the unit truly a state-of-the art space of healing — with homelike private rooms, accommodations for visitors and common space for activities like art therapy and yoga. An integrative medicine suite for practices like massage and acupuncture is part of the peaceful atmosphere.

Wrap-around care

The new survivorship program is another example of the hospital’s experts working to offer more resources and support to their patients and families at all stages of the disease. 

The program will provide information on wellness, prevention and the latest research — with expert team members who are in tune with the special concerns of a patient who has been deemed cancer free. 

“A cancer diagnosis brings worry and emotion, even after a patient is considered free from the disease. The new survivorship program is a way to transition a patient from active chemo to the rest of their lives,” said Boruchov. “There is always concern for diseases coming back. It’s our job to keep a close watch and maintain our relationship with our patients, even after their treatment plan is complete.”

The Survivorship Program is not a new concept at Saint Francis, however, as the cancer center has hosted an annual Survivorship Day celebration for the past five years. 

This past summer, hundreds of cancer survivors gathered at Dunkin Donuts Park for a Hartford Yard Goats game. The night included a cancer survivors’ pre-game parade, awards, survivors holding the American flag during the national anthem, as well as a survivor throwing out the first pitch, all celebrating their individual cancer journeys.

The survivorship program is tailored to each patient, taking factors like their age and the kind of cancer with which they were diagnosed into consideration, offering  customized support and resources, Boruchov said. 

“We treat survivors like we treat our patients,” he said, “with full-coverage care and comprehensive, wrap-around services. We treat their mind and body.”