New cancer care center coming to Mansfield

Shields Health Care Group, a provider of medical imaging services, will open a new state-of-the-art radiation oncology center in Mansfield in partnership with Morton Hospital and Medical Center and Sturdy Memorial Hospital of Attleboro this spring.

Slated to open in June, the center facility will be located at 89 Forbes Blvd. in Mansfield, affording cancer patients in the southeastern area the opportunity to receive the level of care typically only available in medical centers in Boston, New Bedford and Brockton, according to Susan Schepichi, director of public affairs and philanthropy.

“We are very excited to be able to provide radiation therapy to cancer patients in the area,” Schepichi said.

She added that radiation therapy can be as much as five days a week and this will be a lot easier for those who don’t drive.

The center will feature 4 Dimensional CT Simulation, Image Guided Radiation Technology (IGRT) and Respiratory Gating – three highly advanced forms of cancer treatment offered in very few centers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The center will also utilize Electronic Medical Records (EMR) capabilities with future plans to interface critical patient information to hospital-based computer systems at both Sturdy Memorial and Morton.

 “Shields and its partners have long been known for providing an unprecedented balance of convenient, compassionate patient care and state-of-the-art medical technology,” says Jack Shields, Shields Health Care Group president. “With this new highly advanced cancer care center, we are expanding our services and that of our partners, combining strengths to provide better, more convenient care to patients in the surrounding communities.”

“Morton Hospital is pleased to partner with Shields and Sturdy Memorial to provide state-of-the-art radiation therapy to cancer patients closer to home. This is a unique opportunity to provide a much needed service to our patients in a more convenient location,” said Thomas Porter, chief executive officer of Morton Hospital.

 “This new, innovative cancer treatment facility will enable Sturdy Memorial, along with its partners, to provide the highest level of cancer care in an easily accessible, state-of-the art facility,” Dr. Bruce Auerbach, vice president and chief for emergency and ambulatory services at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. “Our community members deserve convenient access to the highest level of cancer treatment, and this new facility will provide that.”

Shields Health Group is an independent, New England-based medical imaging provider. A family-owned and operated business for more than 25 years; Shields Health Care Group operates a network of 23 imaging centers, which offer advanced diagnostic imaging services. A key element of the Shields network includes The South Suburban Oncology Center (SSOC) – the first of the Group’s community-based radiation oncology centers located in Quincy. SSOC is a partnership that includes Shields, Massachusetts General Hospital, South Shore Hospital and Quincy Medical Center.

An open house of the new cancer care center is planned to be offered to the public, Schepichi said.