Bridgeport Hospital's cancer program has been approved with commendation through 2011 by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer (COC) for meeting or exceeding all 36 standards required for accreditation. The program, which functions under the banner of the Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute at Bridgeport Hospital, provides care to more than 1,000 new cancer patients each year, more than any other hospital in Fairfield County.

"COC approval with commendation is the result of the hard work and dedication of the entire team of physicians and employees who provide care to cancer patients at Bridgeport Hospital every day," says oncologist Robert Folman, MD, co-medical director of the Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute. "Above all, it reflects our overall approach to care: placing our patients and their families at the center of what we do."

Bridgeport Hospital is approved as a Teaching Hospital Cancer Program, one of only seven in Connecticut. The hospital has maintained that designation since it was first reviewed under the COC approvals program in 1993.

A Teaching Hospital Cancer Program:

• is associated with a medical school and participates in training new physicians in at least four areas, including medicine and surgery. Affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital offers or participates in postgraduate residency and fellowship programs in medicine, surgery, radiology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, emergency medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology and pulmonary diseases.
• offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services, on site or by referral. The Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services, including state-of-the art PET/CT scans, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery.
• members of its medical staff are board certified in the major medical specialties, including oncology. Bridgeport Hospital physicians represent more than 70 medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties, including medical, gynecological and surgical oncology and radiation medicine.
• participates in clinical research. The Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute participates in at least 30 clinical trials at any given time.

Another hallmark of the care provided by the Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute is its Oncology Patient Navigator Program. Currently, three experienced registered nurses serve as navigators for patients with breast, gynecological, prostate, gastrointestinal and lung cancers. The navigators help guide patients and their families through the often-complex stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. They navigators provide information and referrals to medical and surgical specialists and support services.

It was so comforting to have (Oncology Patient Navigator) Donna Gonsalves with me as I was waiting to go into surgery," says Fairfield resident Peg Clark, who recently underwent treatment for a rare form of GI cancer at Bridgeport Hospital.

Not only did Gonsalves monitor Clark's care in the hospital, she also visited her as she continued her recovery at a rehabilitation facility.

"When I returned home, Donna called to welcome me back," Clark adds. "And she was with me at my first post-op appointment."

Colorectal surgeon Scott Thornton, MD, the Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute's other co-medical director, says Clark's experience is indicative of the care and support provided to all cancer patients at Bridgeport Hospital.

"We offer the full package: the most highly-accredited and experienced cancer program in Fairfield County, a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options, and compassionate, personalized care," says Dr. Thornton. "We like to think of it as world-class cancer care for our patients and their families in their own backyard."