Health Care Guide Press Releases

Hunterdon Medical Center Receives National Recognition for Breast Care

The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), the only
national accreditation program specifically for breast disease, awarded
Hunterdon Medical Center’s Hunterdon Regional Breast Care Program
Three-Year Full Accreditation.  The NAPBC is a consortium of national
and professional organizations… dedicated to quality of care and the
improvement of outcomes for patients with diseases of the breast.

As one of only 210 NAPBC accredited breast centers in the country, the
Hunterdon Regional Breast Care Program provides patients with access to
a comprehensive interdisciplinary team specializing in the care of
malignant and benign breast disease.   This breast care team includes
board certified physicians, surgeons specializing in breast care,
medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and
reconstructive surgeons, along with genetic counselors, social workers
and oncology certified nurses and dietitians.  Patients have access to
state-of-the-art services, including digital mammography, breast MRI,
high-risk screening, lymphedema rehabilitation and clinical trials.
Women with breast disease/cancer who go to a NAPBC accredited breast
center receive timely, efficient, compassionate care from physical
examination and treatment to follow-up and survivorship.

Pamela Vlahakis, RN, BSN, CBCN, one of the first certified breast care
coordinators in the nation, navigates patients through the system. She
is experienced in breast health and works with patients who have
abnormal results on their mammogram that requires further investigation.
Ms. Vlahakis works as a liaison between patients, physicians, and
surgeons to ensure that patients receive appropriate care and prompt
results.

Each NAPBC accredited center undergoes a rigorous survey process to
ensure compliance with 27 standards addressing leadership, clinical
management, research, community outreach, education, data management,
and quality improvement.  Randy Stevens, M.D., NAPBC surveyor noted,
“Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center has a superb patient navigation
process and an outstanding genetics program - identifying patients to be
referred, active in research and follow through with the patient.”

For more information on Hunterdon Regional Breast Care Program call
Pamela Vlahakis at 908-237-5447.