Hawthorn Medical Achieves STAR Program® Certification from Oncology Rehab Partners
Clinical staff trained to provide quality oncology rehabilitation services and help cancer survivors live their lives to the fullest
October 20, 2011 – Northborough, MA – Oncology Rehab Partners (ORP), leading providers in the field of survivorship care, today announced that Hawthorn Medical Associates of Dartmouth, MA, the largest multi-specialty medical group practice in greater New Bedford, has earned its STAR Program® Certification. This Certification uniquely qualifies Hawthorn Medical to offer premium, reimbursable oncology rehabilitation services to cancer survivors who suffer from debilitating side effects caused by treatments.
To receive its STAR Certification, Hawthorn Medical’s staff has completed intensive training in ORP’s unparalleled STAR Program Certification. Launched in 2009, STAR Certifications provide a standardized model of oncology rehabilitation service delivery to help cancer survivors live their lives to the fullest. The STAR Program Certification provides evidence-based clinical training, continuous updates on new research, and “best practice” treatment protocols.
The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC) now mandates cancer rehabilitation as one of its six core accreditation criteria for hospitals. These services may be provided to patients by referral or coordinated with other facilities or local agencies. ORP’s STAR Program Certification addresses an important component of the core services needed for accreditation by the CoC and provides services that are aligned with national recommendations and mandates.
The STAR Program advocates a multi-disciplinary approach in which medical specialists from different disciplines work together with each patient on a personalized rehabilitation plan. At Hawthorn Medical, caregivers from rehabilitation specialties, such as physical therapy and occupational therapy, as well as a social worker and dietitian will team with Hawthorn Medical’s oncology group to help patients increase strength and energy, alleviate pain and improve daily functioning and quality of life.
“Our staff has welcomed the opportunity to become certified in oncology rehab by participating in the STAR Program. This evidence-based team approach to cancer rehabilitation supports our vision as a department to provide the highest quality of rehabilitation services while prioritizing our patients’ individual goals. This training will strengthen our ability to support our patients in returning to their optimal level of independence as they face the challenges of cancer survivorship.” said Deborah Days Fraine, OTR/L,CHT, Manager of Hawthorn Medical Rehabilitation Center.
ORP was created to advance the expansion of survivorship programs and to serve the growing population of cancer survivors. The company provides hospitals, cancer centers and group practices with the tools needed to expeditiously develop and deliver quality oncology rehabilitation programs, including:
- Evidence-based clinical protocols to advance survivorship care
- Self-directed, or on-site expert-directed, rehabilitation training for staff
- Self-directed continuing education for updates on the latest in rehabilitation care
- Support services for troubleshooting during STAR Program’s implementation
- Survivor guide books and additional resources to engage patients in their recoveries
An institution can earn its STAR Program Certification within three to six months - a fraction of the time that would normally be required to implement an oncology rehabilitation program, if a facility had to conduct its own research and development.
“Hawthorn Medical is the first STAR Program in Massachusetts and has embraced cancer rehabilitation as a critical part of cancer care, said Julie Silver, M.D., ORP founder, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, and a cancer survivor. Patients are often discharged after their acute care without follow up support for help with healing. Hawthorn Medical’s STAR Program will help cancer survivors function at a higher level.”
About Oncology Rehab Partners:
Oncology Rehab Partners (ORP) is an innovative healthcare company breaking new ground in the field of cancer survivorship care. ORP is the industry’s first company to provide hospitals, cancer centers, group practices and clinicians with the tools needed to develop and deliver quality, reimbursable oncology rehabilitation services to the millions of cancer survivors who suffer from debilitating side effects caused by treatments. Learn more at www.OncRehab.com.
~~~
Media Inquiries
Contact: Diane Stokes
Oncology Rehab Partners
Diane.Stokes@OncRehab.com
(508) 393-4600
