Radiology Center to Expand Staff, Resources

Northeast Radiology executives say the will undergo a major facelift — involving the addition of specialists and healthcare opportunities — within the next year or so. 

Since the facility's doors first opened in Putnam in 1996, folks have looked to the imaging center for its specialization in diagnostic radiology. A major construction project, which has gained preliminary approval, includes a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center where patients would receive radiation therapy on-site. The current complex does not offer that service.

"Radiation therapy is used today in more than half of all cancer treatments due to its unique clinical advantages, and is becoming steadily more effective with new technologies that permit ultra-precise dose delivery," Dr. Howard Lee, president of Northeast Radiology, said. "...We will have the potential to substantially improve both patient comfort and cure rates."

The new center will be equipped to treat patients with several types of cancer, including prostate, breast, head, neck, lung and pancreatic. Chief Operating Officer Harold E. Clark and Dr. Scott N. Nadel estimate that the wing — which would likely be staffed by one to two doctors, a couple of nurses and a handful of other specialists for a total of at least half a dozen new positions — would handle 10 to 20 people, who would be outpatients, per day.

The multi-million dollar project calls for the administrative portion of the current facility to be torn down and replaced with a new structure. The radiation equipment would sit there, surrounded by eight-feet-high cement walls for safety reasons.

Clark and Nadel stressed that no lay-offs are associated with the makeover. Managers are still working on the details, but the folks currently using the space marked for revamping could work from either an alternative office or home.

Aside from maintaining current staff, Clark and Nadel say another priority behind the project is ensuring that the finished product is an asset to the area. Planners have kept improved parking layouts in mind during design phases. They've also factored in environmentally-friendly ways to build and maintain the new space.

Town of Southeast Planning Board Chairman Tom LaPerch told Patch that the body recently reviewed Northeast Radiology's plans. He said that "lining up the ducks" in this fiscal environment is not an easy thing to do — especially in the year time period executives are aiming for — but that the project seems to be on the right track.

"Every member [of the board] was excited to see they're upgrading the neighborhood," he said, adding that the company's dedication to keeping people close to home for treatment shows a real commitment to the community.

For residents and folks who live nearby, the makeover may mean a shorter, less stressful commute to treatment. Those undergoing radiation for cancer generally do so several times each week, often for a total of more than 35 sessions as an outpatient at a hospital.

"When you are going to radiation, you are tired, and you usually go to treatment daily, so a long car ride isn't fun," said Amy Sayegh, cancer survivor and founder of Community Cares, a Putnam-based organization dedicated to providing support to patients and their families. "Most people like to have a facility close so it fits in with their daily routine, especially if you are driving kids all over the place ... During the time you are radiated, you just count each day down."