World-Class Cancer Care Has Never Been Closer
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ith its connection to the Mass General Cancer Center, Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s oncology program has grown extensively in recent years, allowing more Nantucket patients to receive the care they need on-island and close to home.
Erwin and Stephanie Greenberg. Since 2013, Swim Across America – Nantucket has raised millions for cancer care on the island that has been donated to Nantucket Cottage Hospital’s oncology program and Palliative & Supportive Care of Nantucket.
In the new Nantucket Cottage Hospital, the Cancer Care and Infusion Center will have an expanded base of operations that will improve the patient experience and deliver enhanced privacy.
Beyond the benefits of the cancer and infusion center, the expanded treatment area in the new hospital also reflects the growth of the cancer care program. Under the leadership of Elizabeth Tracey, MSN, ONS, the program has grown to include full-time oncology nurse practitioner Ugne Aleknaite, MSN, along with clinical nurse leader Gretchen Buchmann, BSN, infusion center nurses Kristen Chenard, BSN, Joan Macallister, BSN, ONS, and Lisa Lacoursiere. Originally spearheaded by Dr. Bruce Chabner, the director of clinical research at the MGH Cancer Center and a former NCH Trustee, the team is currently caring for nearly 150 patients in different stages of disease, with 20-30 in active treatment.
The current hospital has one room with two chairs for its non-malignant infusions and chemotherapy administration. In the new hospital, that area will expand to include five private infusion bays overlooking conservation land off Vesper Lane, as well as a full nurses’ station for staff. This wing of the new hospital will be named the Swim Across America Infusion Center in recognition of the substantial support the program has received from the local open water swim event that takes place every August. The naming of the infusion center for Swim Across America was made possible by a gift from
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Ugne Aleknaite AGPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC
Jon Dubois, MD
The on-island team coordinates care with a team of MGH oncologists – Medical Director, Jon Dubois, MD, Jeffrey Barnes, MD and Andrew Branagan, MD – who see patients on
Jeffrey Barnes, MD, PhD
Andrew Branagan, MD
