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New Breast Program Director: Changing the Post-Diagnosis Experience
May 04, 2018
Finding out you have breast cancer can be overwhelming. Finding out you need to contact and make appointments with several experts in different locations after you’ve been diagnosed only makes it more difficult.
Camelia Lawrence,MD, Breast Surgeon, THOCC, Cancer Center,
Dr. Camelia Lawrence has a vision and a plan to change everything about the post-diagnosis process.
“We are setting up a Comprehensive Breast Center in New Britain that takes the pressure and responsibility off the patient’s shoulders and puts it on us, the experts, giving the patient a little bit of peace during a very stressful situation,” said Dr. Lawrence.
The Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut (HOCC) introduced Dr. Lawrence as the director of breast surgery for The Hospital of Central Connecticut and MidState Medical Center late last month. Not only is Dr. Lawrence bringing her more than 13 years of experience in breast surgery with her to the institute, but she also is bringing a multidisciplinary care-center approach with her.
The center focuses on operating as a one-stop shop for patients after they are diagnosed with breast cancer. A team of breast surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurse navigators, and counselors meet regularly to discuss the patient’s appointment schedule and planning, taking the patient’s care into their hands.
“The center will not only enhance our exceptional breast health services, but it will also provide our patients with psychological, social, educational and other support services from our team of local physicians, nurses and staff,” said Dr. Lawrence.
Dr. Lawrence most recently practiced at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport. She has been recognized numerous times for her work in the field of breast care, including being named a 2017 Women Leading the Way honoree by the American Cancer Society; a 2017 Doctor of Distinction by the Fairfield County Business Journal; a Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Achievement Award recipient; and a Susan G. Komen More than Pink honoree. She also received the Dr. Kenneth Woodward Memorial Award in recognition of improving the health status of underserved patients.
“I am proud to welcome Dr. Lawrence to the HOCC breast center,” said Kristoffer Popovitch, MBA, Central Region director of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute. “She joins a talented team of providers and support staff who are dedicated to providing attentive, personalized care and guidance throughout the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer on into survivorship and recovery.”
The Hospital of Central Connecticut Cancer Center is part of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance. This means patients receive the same treatment and protocols developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering and have access to a wide range of clinical trials.
Dr. Camelia Lawrence’s office is at the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, 201 North Mountain Road, Suite 102, Plainville. To make an appointment or for more information, please call 860.224.5416.