Cancer patients in Eastern Brooklyn have a powerful new weapon on their side as they battle the dreaded disease.
Doctors and administrators at Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center this week announced the arrival at the Brownsville health care facility a state-of-the-art CT scanner that will be immediately deployed in its Oncology–Radiology Department.
Brookdale officials said the new apparatus, purchased with a $535,000 grant provided by the office of local Assemblyman Nick Perry (D-East Flatbush, Brownsville), will enable radiologists to take X-ray measurements from different angles, and produce cross-sectional images of specific areas of a scanned object, allowing them to see inside cancer-affected tissues without having to surgically cut into a patient to determine the position of a tumor.
“I’m quite delighted that I was able to secure funding to purchase this state-of-the-art CT Scanner which I’m told is being put to good use here at Brookdale,” said the Jamaica-born Perry at unveiling ceremonies for the new scanner on Oct. 30. “This innovative piece of diagnostic equipment will help allow doctors determine the best course of action and continue to help Brookdale flourish, and improve the health of the people and communities they serve.”
The hospital’s Chief Radiation Therapist, Jerry Aviles said he and his staff were particularly grateful for the $425,000 Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS-20 CT scanner, as it will give them the ability to examine and treat more cancer patients, more efficiently.
“This new technology literally brings Brookdale into the 21st century in terms of cancer treatment,” said Aviles. “The number of patients we scan now is about 150 annually; this new equipment will allow us to do a lot more than that. Now that we’ve gotten new technology, hopefully more patients (in East Brooklyn) will come to Brookdale to be scanned instead of traveling longer distances to other hospitals.”
He added that with the new scanner, Brookdale radiologists will be able to examine wider areas on a patient’s body, allowing for quicker, more accurate diagnoses.
“Now, radiologists and oncologists will know better where a tumor is, and be able to specifically target the cancer cells in a tumor and use radiation to kill those cells,” Aviles said. “We can now treat more patients, more efficiently, with decreasing side effects, and have better outcomes.”
Khari Edwards, Brookdale vice president for external affairs, said the hospital and its Eastern Brooklyn patient population were especially indebted to their legislative benefactor.
“Assemblyman Nick Perry has been one of Brookdale’s biggest supporters and advocates for the past 20 years. His belief in the work we do here, the lives we save and the compassion for our community is humbling,” Edwards said. “The CT Scanner is one of the many capital projects that the Assemblyman generously has gifted the hospital. Brookdale Hospital is the designated anchor of the One Brooklyn Health System, made up of Brookdale, Kingsbrook and Interfaith. The new scanner will allow us to deliver world-class care and provide a better quality of life for our cancer patients.”
Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, 1 Brookdale Plaza, Brooklyn (718) 260–4500.
