| BMC to be First Member of Dana-Farber/Brigham & Women's Cancer Care Collaborative |
| Berkshire Medical Center Cancer Center To Be Named Inaugural Member of Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Care Collaborative: Notice to be filed with MA Health Policy Commission BOSTON – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital announce today that they have agreed to name Berkshire Medical Center Cancer Center as the first member of the new Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Care Collaborative (DF/BWCCC) following review by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission. Membership in the Collaborative will signify Berkshire Medical Center’s commitment to excellence in cancer care by meeting a wide array of standards and best practices. In addition, Berkshire Medical Center staff will have access to educational opportunities and medical specialists at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center in Boston. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber and Berkshire Medical Center are filing a notice of the agreement with the Health Policy Commission tomorrow. As part of the membership process, DF/BWCCC clinicians and other specialists conducted an extensive review of Berkshire Medical Center’s outpatient medical oncology practices and procedures, including patient safety protocols, nursing and pharmacy practices, chemotherapy administration, and information systems. “Our overall mission is to help relieve the burden of cancer for as many people as possible,” said Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD, president of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Sometimes that is by research to help create better preventative and diagnostic capabilities and therapies, sometimes by caring for patients ourselves, and now, by working with others, like Berkshire Medical Center, to continue to provide great care close to home,” he said. “We are excited by the prospect of establishing the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Care Collaborative with such a strong and high quality partner as Berkshire Medical Center.” This Collaborative is primarily about reviewing practices and standards at Berkshire Medical Center and providing educational opportunities for caregivers. However, DF/BWCCC physicians may provide medical oncology specialty second opinion clinics on-site at Berkshire Medical Center. Berkshire enhanced its cancer services and opened the new Berkshire Medical Center Cancer Center in January 2014. “Berkshire Medical Center Cancer Center is pleased it has been selected to be the inaugural member of the Dana- Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Care Collaborative,” said David E. Phelps, President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. “I am very proud of our clinical teams and staff that provides high quality care to our community – care that meets the rigorous standards set by the Collaborative. We are all certain that this new relationship will create a formal link between the institutions to benefit our patients and our community, and ensure the best future for cancer care in the Berkshire area.” The practices and procedures of DF/BWCCC members are reviewed annually to ensure that high standards are maintained. New innovations in patient cancer care will be identified as they evolve and can be rapidly implemented. About Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Collaborative The Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Care Collaborative was established by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital for hospitals and physician practices that seek to meet the highest standards of cancer care. Members undergo a rigorous review of their oncology operations, and agree to implement key recommendations to achieve DF/BWCCC standards. Members also receive ongoing consultations and access to support services, such as on-site specialty second opinion clinics, clinical trials, tumor board conferences and physician lectures. # # # |
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