COMMONWEALTH ATRIUS CANCER CENTER OPENS IN WEYMOUTH
South Shore's First Comprehensive Cancer Facility Offers South Shore Patients Advanced Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Imaging

Weymouth, MA (June 6, 2007) - The Commonwealth Atrius Cancer Center - a collaboration between Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology (CHO) and Atrius Health (the alliance of five community-based medical groups, including Dedham Medical Associates, Granite Medical, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, South Shore Medical Center, and Southboro Medical Group)-has officially opened at 51 Performance Drive in Weymouth, Mass., as the South Shore's first comprehensive cancer center. All non-surgical cancer services-including the area's most advanced radiation oncology, medical oncology, and imaging-are now available under one roof for patients from all community-based practices.

"It is very gratifying to see the shared vision of this cancer center become a reality," says Walt A. Kagan, M.D., Ph.D, President of Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology, based in Quincy. "It is advantageous for patients to receive an optimal level of personalized, coordinated care within their local communities, and world-class cancer care is now truly closer to home."

More than 50 cancer care professionals will staff the cancer center, which expects to treat more than 1,500 new patients in its first year. The radiation oncology and diagnostic imaging units are operated by Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, an affiliate of Atrius Health, and utilize an electronic medical record (EMR) system. CHO physicians also enhance quality by utilizing Intellidose, a sophisticated chemotherapy ordering system. The cancer center will also offer diagnostic imaging capabilities using state-of-the-art PET/CT technologies. Allied health services planned for in the facility will include nutrition, counseling, and other support services. Plans are also underway to assist patients in need of transportation to and from treatment.

"With the opening of this cancer center, we are making it easier for South Shore patients to receive the state-of-the-art, comprehensive care they need, and to have access to advanced treatments and technologies without having to travel far from their support network and families," says Debra A. Geihsler, CEO of Atrius Health.

Planning for this 22,554-square-foot center started in 2004, when CHO and Atrius Health identified the need for state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary cancer care close to patients' homes and work. Key to this initiative was a commitment to provide radiation oncology treatment that matches the best of what is available in Boston's major medical centers.

Most Advanced Computer-Directed Radiation Therapy
According to Claire Y. Fung, M.D., Director of Radiation Oncology at the cancer center, the radiation oncology suite is equipped with the region's most sophisticated IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy) and IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy). "While it is routine to individualize radiation therapy based on three dimensional aspects of the tumor, we now have CT scanning capability built into the treatment machine to localize the tumor in real time before treatment," says Dr. Fung. "Furthermore, sophisticated software allows tracking of the movement of tumors during breathing, thus adding time, the fourth dimension, into our planning."

"We are the area's first facility to provide this degree of precision, which increases the accuracy of targeting tumors and minimizes the exposure of surrounding, healthy tissue. The upshot is that a higher level of quality and safety is now available to patients in our communities."

CHO's medical oncology team recently moved from its previous location on Pleasant Street in Weymouth to the cancer center's larger and more modern office, which includes an on-site chemotherapy Infusion Room and laboratory, the latest targeted therapies, a free patient advocacy program, and clinical trials. "We are excited to continue our longtime tradition of caring for patients and collaborating with the local medical community," says James R. Everett, M.D., who opened CHO's original Weymouth office in 1978.

"Our collaboration with Atrius Health is a great example of the importance of medical leaders working together to achieve common objectives on behalf of their patients," says Dr. Kagan.

Commonwealth Atrius Cancer Center is the largest occupant in the Class A, three-story, 68,363-square-foot Weymouth Woods Medical Center, which is owned by Campanelli Companies.

Commonwealth Atrius Cancer Center in Weymouth, Mass., the first comprehensive cancer center on the South Shore, is a collaboration between Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology (CHO) and Atrius Health (formerly HealthOne Care System). The center, which is expected to treat 1,500 new patients in its first year, features personalized, multidisciplinary cancer care with all non-surgical cancer care services-medical oncology, radiation oncology, imaging, and other allied health services-under one roof. The Radiation Oncology Suite, operated by Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, offers the area's most advanced radiation therapy.

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