The Cancer Program at Griffin Hospital
Griffin Hospital’s accredited Cancer Program provides diagnostic, surgical, and support services for the treatment of cancer.
The Cancer Program follows Griffin’s award winning Planetree model of care. At Griffin, patients will find a healing environment that is supportive for patients and families. We empower patients to become active participants in their care and to learn more about their disease. Components of the Planetree model include encouraging holistic care, open medical records, and access to our Health Resource Center.
Our board-certified physicians in oncology guide cancer patients through ongoing evaluations and treatment options. Griffin's Oncology Section Chief, Dr. Jeffrey A. Orell, and his partner, Dr. Greg Angstreich, work together with our team of trained surgeons specialized in oncology and the latest surgical techniques including minimally invasive and advanced laparoscopic surgery. They are led by the Chairman of the Surgical Department who specializes in breast cancer, Dr. Guy Nicastri, with his partner Dr. Ihor Ponomarenko, the only fellowship trained oncology surgeon in the area, and Dr. Marcella Bradway, a specialist in colon-cancer surgery.
Griffin offers services for ongoing evaluation including the latest diagnostic imaging technology, a walk-in laboratory, and support groups designed specifically for cancer patients.
Learn more about our Cancer Program by clicking on these topics:
The Future of Cancer Treatment in Your Community
In the near future, we hope to provide more treatment options to the members of our community. We strongly believe that cancer treatment needs to be given close to home and so Griffin Hospital plans to provide advanced radiation services to our community. We are exploring plans to build a unique facility, based on our award winning Planetree model of care and exceptional customer service that you have come to expect at Griffin.
Cancer Program Accreditation
The cancer program at Griffin Hospital is accredited by The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1932, the Approvals Program sets standards for cancer programs and reviews the programs to make sure they conform to those standards.
Approval by the Commission on Cancer is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to provide the best in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and to undergo a rigorous evaluation process and a review of its performance. In order to maintain approval, facilities with an approved cancer program must undergo an on site review every three years. Slightly more than one-fifth of the nation’s hospitals have approved cancer programs, and more than 80 percent of patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer are treated in these facilities.
Rapid Diagnostic Breast Care Center & Screenings
For women, age 40 and over, looking to start regular mammogram screenings, Griffin’s Breast Care Coordinator will help guide you through the process and review your findings for accurate, timely evaluations.
At Griffin Hospital’s Rapid Diagnostic Breast Center, we take care of all the details for you. The Rapid Diagnostic Breast Center offers convenient scheduling of mammograms and a soothing and healing environment designed to maximize your privacy.
We provide each patient individualized and specialized care that includes fine needle, core and surgical biopsies as well as state-of-the-art Mammotome stereotactic biopsy procedure.
The Center boasts a highly trained staff of Griffin Hospital radiologists, pathologists, surgeons, oncologists, nurses and state-licenses mammographers, sonographers and radiologic technologists all committed to the rapid diagnosis of your breast abnormality.
To learn more about our mammogram or the Breast Care Center click here or call Midge Johnson at 732-7566.
To make a secure, online mammogram appointment click here.
Both men and women, age 50 or older, can find professional screenings for colon cancer at our Digestive Disorders Center.
We also treat a wide range of digestive problems from heartburn to more severe diseases of the GI tract including colon cancer. We boast a highly skilled staff of gastroenterologists and colon-rectal surgeons.
For more information contact 203-732-7423 or click here.
Radiology Services
The Radiology Department offers patients state-of-the-art low dose mammography screening, ultrasound, PET (Positron Emission Tompgraphy) Scans, Open MRI and CT Scans in pleasing environment.
We are very proud of the fact that many of our Diagnostic Imaging Departments are recognized by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations as well as credentialed by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The following areas are ACR certified:
- Mammography
- MRI
- Nuclear Cardiology (SPECT Imaging)
- Nuclear Medicine: General Planar Imaging
- PET
- Ultrasound: Breast
- Ultrasound: General
- Ultrasound: GYN
- Ultrasound: Small Parts
- Ultrasound: Vascular
Treatment Options
Medical oncologists may prescribe the use of anti-cancer drugs and chemotherapy to destroy cancer cells. At Griffin cancer drugs are given in the Special Procedures Unit which has been designed to provide patients with the greatest comfort possible during their treatments as well as for family members that may accompany them. The Special Procedures unit at Griffin Hospital specializes in one-day procedures, including chemotherapy.
Our unique unit has fourteen beds in private and semi-private rooms, with large windows, personal televisions, telephones, and boasts a 98% patient satisfaction rating.
The Special Procedures Unit is open Monday – Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm , and two Saturdays a month.
To make an appointment, contact Central Scheduling at (203) 732-7101.
Griffin Support Groups
Breast Cancer Support Group
This is a monthly group co-sponsored by Griffin Hospital and the Y-ME of Connecticut Breast Cancer Support Organization. Meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria Meeting Rooms. For breast cancer patients and survivors to share feelings, stories and receive educational resources and materials as we as information from guest speakers who are professionals in the field of breast cancer. Call 732-7566 or Griffin InfoSource at 732-7211.
H.U.G.S. (Help Unlimited Griffin Support)
Meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Griffin Hospital Cafeteria Meeting Rooms. This extremely upbeat, positive group of people share the commonality of being touched in some way by cancer. Many have attended for years and embrace new members into this family setting immediately. They share their laughter and their pain with total confidentiality and actively participate and support annual events such as "Cancer Survivor's Day" and Relay For Life. Traditionally, a summer picnic and a Christmas party are enjoyed. For further information, please call 732-7181.
Laboratory Services
The Laboratory at Griffin Hospital is committed to accuracy and efficiency in providing test results for its patients. Lab services are provided for hematology, clinical chemistry, therapeutic drug monitoring, transfusion medicine, diagnostic serology, and surgical pathology.
The lab includes an in-house blood drawing station with walk in service.
Hours:
Monday-Friday 7am to 7pm
Saturday 7:30am to 12pm
For more information on this service contact:
203-732-7280
There are also two satellite blood drawing stations:
- Ansonia
22 Westfield Avenue
Phone: (203) 732-0133.
Hours: 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
Closed for lunch 12:30 - 1 pm
- Southbury
Southford Medical Center
Phone: (203) 264-2230
Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am to 4:00 pm
Friday from 8am to 11am
The lab is closed Wednesday.
To get more information about Lab services at Griffin click here.