News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT: Joyce Brennan
Public Information Officer
Southcoast Health System
Phone: 508-961-5270
Fax: 508-961-5876
Pager: 508-387-9605
brennanj@southcoast.org
www.southcoast.org/news/releases/
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care unveils new Jarabek Center
Opening of new medical oncology center brings all cancer services under one roof and
fulfills promise to Jarabek Family to provide community with advanced cancer services
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group today unveiled the new Jarabek
Diagnostic & Treatment Center at the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care in Fall River. The
opening of the new Jarabek Center conveniently places all oncology services in the Mitchell
Building at the Charlton Memorial Hospital site.
The Jarabek Diagnostic & Treatment Center is located on the second floor of the
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, which opened in July 2009 and currently houses state-of-theart radiation oncology services. The new Jarabek Center will open for patients on October 4.
“The opening of the new Jarabek brings together all cancer services at the Charlton site
under one roof and in a state-of-the-art facility designed with the latest treatments and
technology,” said Therese Mulvey, MD, Physician-in-Chief & Medical Oncologist at the
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care. “It is important that our patients receive the highest-quality
care available in the best facilities we can build. The new Jarabek Center incorporates best
practices in cancer care with one thing in mind — providing a caring environment that is
comforting for patients and their families. Our center also fulfills Southcoast’s promise to the
Jarabek family to make a difference in the quality of life for oncology patients, right here in their
own community.”
Newly renovated, the medical oncology area is open and bright with modern treatment
areas and a host of comforting amenities for patients and their families to enjoy. The infusion area
has 12 spacious treatment bays and a private treatment room with ample windows providing
natural light. Each treatment bay is divided so as to provide a level of privacy while still ensuring
that staff can effectively monitor their treatment. The bays have individual televisions and can
easily accommodate a family member or visitor to support the patient during their treatment. The
reclining chairs are cushioned and a nutrition center is located a few feet away for the
convenience of patients and their families.
Also located on the floor are comprehensive laboratory services, a specialized oncology
pharmacy, a library and resource area, physician offices and exam rooms. The first floor of the
Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care houses radiation therapy including a linear accelerator and a
dedicated CT scanner. Throughout the building, patients and visitors have free access to wireless
Internet access as well as resource computers in the libraries on both floors to use while they visit.
The Jarabek Diagnostic & Treatment Center was established in the Moran Building at
Charlton Memorial Hospital in 1996 in honor of Allen L. Jarabek. The newly renovated area
continues the mission of The Allen L. Jarabek Oncology Fund, a permanent fund that supports
cancer services at Charlton Memorial Hospital, and has been re-designated to the new location.
“My father, Allen Jarabek, was treated at Charlton for cancer. It was very important to
him to have his family at his side as much as possible. Eliminating the need to travel to Boston
made this easier,” said Cindy Audette, daughter of Allen Jarabek, who toured the center with her
mother, Barbara Jarabek, sister Jody Oliveira, and brother Allen Jarabek, Jr. on September 14.
“It was my father’s wish to give back to the hospital where he was given such
outstanding care,” Audette said. “The new Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care, under Dr.
Therese Mulvey’s direction and with its national clinical affiliation, raises the bar to the highest
of quality. This is a benefit to the entire region. Our family is happy to be a part of supporting this
initiative.
“It is a wonderful feeling to know that when someone is ill with cancer, they can get the
highest quality of care right here at Southcoast. There are so many issues that arise when
someone is ill and in need of continuous treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. Keeping
the family together becomes a high priority,” Audette said.
Background on the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care
The Fall River site of the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care opened in July 2009 and is
located in the Mitchell Building on the campus of Charlton Memorial Hospital. The Cancer
Center offers patients the latest in cancer treatments and technology, including radiation therapies
such as IGRT, IMRT and PET/CT on the first floor and comprehensive medical oncology
services in the newly renovated Jarabek Diagnostic & Treatment Center on the second floor. In
addition to the Fall River location, Southcoast operates a medical oncology facility at 480
Hawthorn Street in Dartmouth, Mass.
The care delivered at the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care is complimented by an
outstanding cancer team, which includes dedicated medical and radiation oncologists and staff
who have been treating cancer patients at Southcoast for decades — and new staff who include
top-tier clinicians with a wealth of experience from some of the major academic cancer centers
around the country.
Dr. Mulvey leads the team which includes Elizabeth Blanchard, MD, Medical
Oncologist, Teresa Boyle, MD, Radiation Oncologist, Herbert Hansen, MD, Medical Oncologist,
Harry Matelski, MD, Medical Oncologist, Todd F. Roberts, MD, MSc., Medical Oncologist, and
Mark Shparber, MD, Medical Oncologist. Joining the team this past August are radiation
oncologists, Patrick J. Gagnon, MD and Tushar Kumar, MD.
Under Construction: Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care in Fairhaven
Southcoast Hospitals is also building its new flagship Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care
in Fairhaven that, when completed in early 2011, will provide convenient access to advanced
cancer services to residents in the eastern part of the South Coast region.
The new Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care in Fairhaven will ensure coordinated, highquality, streamlined care for cancer patients and their families. It brings together state-of-the-art
radiation therapy and medical oncology, such as chemotherapy, in a beautiful and peaceful setting
conveniently located off Interstate 195 in Fairhaven. In addition to radiation therapy the new
50,000 square foot outpatient center will house expansive diagnostic testing, imaging and
laboratories and patient amenities — all to meet the growing needs of the region's cancer patients.
The estimated cost for both the new Fairhaven and Fall River cancer centers is about $60
million. The Fairhaven building project will create up to 250 temporary construction jobs over the
life of the project. The center will employ about 55 staff, of which about 40 will be permanent
new clinical and support jobs.
For more information on Southcoast’s cancer services visit
www.southcoast.org/cancercare/.
About Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group
Southcoast Health System is a community based health delivery system with multiple
access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern
Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up
Southcoast Hospitals Group — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in
New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty
and heart rhythm services, comprehensive cancer care, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery,
orthopedic surgery and advanced imaging services. Southcoast is a not-for-profit charitable
organization that depends on the support of the community to provide services.
More information is available online at www.southcoast.org. Connect to Southcoast at
www.southcoast.org/connect/
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