Norris Cotton Cancer Center Regional Cancer Program
New London, New Hampshire
New London Hospital
273 County Road
New London, NH 03527
603-526-2911
Medical Team
Marc Gautier, MD
On-site twice monthly
Hospital Brings World-Class Cancer Care Home
New London Hospital announced today the opening of its new oncology unit, part of the Regional Cancer Program of Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Physicians and advanced practice nurses from the Regional Cancer Program provide specialized care to patients in the most convenient location possible -close to home.
"Providing access to research-based care and clinical trials is an important part of our mission as a Comprehensive Cancer Center," says Marc Gautier, MD, Associate Director for Regional Clinical Affairs. Norris Cotton Cancer Center is one of 41 Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. "The Regional Cancer Program makes it possible for patients who live a long way from the Cancer Center to get specialized care at local community hospitals like New London. Cancer patients face so many challenges-traveling long distances for expert medical care should not be one of them."
"Our patients will benefit from the new techniques and technologies of Norris Cotton Cancer Center," said Bruce King, CEO and President of New London Hospital, "and they will have access to education and helpline groups. At the same time, they will not have to travel long distances and their therapy will be provided by a familiar, friendly staff personally acquainted with their healthcare needs."
Melissa Nelson, RN, is the friendly face that patients will see when they come for treatment. With twelve years experience as a nurse in oncology and primary care, she is excited to see the outreach oncology program in place again at New London Hospital. "There are many new techniques and strategies available today to help patients avoid the side effects of chemotherapy and to help them go through what may be a difficult process. It will be helpful to have the access to Dartmouth and to some of the top physicians in the world at Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Yet it is also important that our patients will know that ten minutes from their home are people who know them, who know their healthcare situation and who can help them."
The oncology unit itself was designed with the patient's interests in mind, to make therapy as comfortable and personal as possible. Soothing colors and lights, recliners, TVs, DVDs, music and internet access are part of the room, which can serve four patients at a time.
Dr. Gautier, who will see patients at New London Hospital twice a month, says that the success of the Regional Cancer Program comes from its emphasis on building relationships between the Cancer Center and each community. Each regional physician sees patients at one, sometimes two, locations only. They develop relationships and provide treatment in partnerships with the hospitals' physicians and nurses, and the community's primary care physicians. All regional physicians are also based at DHMC, so they provide a direct connection to the Cancer Center's specialized cancer programs and clinical trials of new therapies.
Eleven other hospitals in New Hampshire and Vermont are part of the Regional Cancer Program. For more information about the oncology program and other services at New London Hospital, contact Bona Hayes in the Marketing and Public Relations office at 603-526-5270.
