The state-of-the-art UHS Breast Center, which recently moved to UHS Vestal, gives women in the Southern Tier access to coordinated and convenient breast care. Today, members of a multi-faceted team work side by side to diagnose, treat and support women as they seek quality breast care.
UHS providers and other professionals in imaging, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, physical rehabilitation and nurse navigation, as well as outreach and patient education, are all integral to the team approach.
And notably, UHS’ modern laboratory and pathology services play a key role in supporting the total care of the patient and ensuring high-quality and timely breast cancer services. Their role in the diagnosis of several types of cancer has been recognized internationally.
In recognition of the entire Breast Center, the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers of the American College of Surgeons awarded it a prestigious three-year accreditation. “This distinguishes our facility as the only one in the area to receive such an honor,” says Michael J. Farrell, MD, the center’s medical director. “It places UHS among an elite group of medical centers where the full spectrum of breast care meets the highest clinical standards.”
The center prepared for two years and then underwent a rigorous performance review in order to receive this recognition, explains Susan Kost, RN, program manager. “We follow the same exacting standards as major breast centers and deliver breast care equal to that of any large university hospital system,” she adds.
While the providers’ and employees’ knowledge, skill and teamwork ultimately led to the nationally-acclaimed accreditation, it’s the center’s patient-centered approach that drives day-to-day operations. “Every patient is treated with the utmost respect and compassion,” Ms. Kost stresses. “We created a patient-driven program that makes it easy to move through the system, quickly get answers and coordinate all necessary follow-up care.”
