Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center (HSNHC) in Dorchester, Massachusetts, have entered into an agreement to connect patients to cancer prevention, education, diagnosis, and treatment services.
This program, based out of Dana-Farber’s Cancer Care Equity Program, will help address persistent health-care disparities faced in local communities. The practice of embedding a medical oncology practice in the community has shown early positive results, with shortened wait times for care.
The clinic will initially be held biweekly and could be expanded, based on demand. It will be led by Christopher Lathan, MD, Ludmila Svoboda, RN, and Laura Garber, PA. Ms. Svoboda will also serve as a nurse navigator, helping reduce language, cultural, and other barriers for patients.
The Dana-Farber care team will see patients who have cancer symptoms and are referred by HSNHC primary care physicians, ob-gyns, dentists, and other providers. They will also provide follow-up care for patients who have received a previous cancer diagnosis or who are at higher risk of cancer from smoking or other causes.
