Coaches vs. Cancer recognizes South County Health

The South County Health Cancer Center received center court recognition at the Ryan Center on Wednesday, January 22, during the University of Rhode Island Coaches vs. Cancer Men’s Basketball Game.

The Cancer Center was recognized for the resources it provides, making advanced cancer-related diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services accessible in Washington County – “close to home.”

Among the resources highlighted were the medical professionals who specialize in cancer diagnosis and treatment, surgical expertise and robotic assisted surgical capabilities, as well as a variety of effective therapies such as radiation, chemo, infusion and integrative therapies.

Members of the Cancer Center Care Team joined cancer survivors Jason Duffin and Matt Callaghan center court where the Cancer Care Team received an autographed basketball from the URI Rams Men’s Team.

In June, Jason was also the keynote speaker at South County Health’s Annual Cancer Survivor Recognition Day where he spoke about his personal journey and the experience that he and his family had as a patient of the South County Health Cancer Center.

For Jason, the on court presentation was something of a reunion as many of the Cancer Center staff who cared for him while a patient, once again stood by his side, including Dr. James Smythe and Dr. Angela Taber, the Center’s recently appointed Medical Director.

Like many of the basketball fans who were asked to stand and be recognized if they were a cancer patient, survivor or loved one, Dr. Taber spoke of her personal connection with the disease.

“My sister was diagnosed with cancer at age 19,” Dr. Taber said. She was 24 when she died.

That experience shaped Dr. Taber’s interactions with, and desire to help other cancer patients.

“My thing is that when someone comes to me, we will take care of every aspect of their care,” she said. “It feels like family, it feels like home,” she said of the experience patients receive at the Cancer Center.

“My goal is to ensure patients and their families always get the best care, focusing on quality of life,” she said.

Click to hear Dr. Taber's interview >>

URI Partnership

As two of the largest organizations in Washington County, the University of Rhode Island and South County Health enjoy a community-minded partnership that positively effects many residents and visitors who enjoy South County.

In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, several URI Cheerleaders visited patients and staff at South County Hospital to encourage women to get a mammography and protect themselves with early detection of breast cancer.

That relationship is also important as many graduates of URI’s Nursing and Pharmacy programs join South County Health as interns, residents or staff.

Each year, the Coaches vs. Cancer Men’s Basketball game draws a near sellout crowd that enthusiastically gives cancer patients and survivors the community recognition and support they deserve.

At this year’s Coaches vs. Cancer Game, the URI Rams handed the Duquesne Dukes their first loss of the season in the Atlantic 10 Conference, 77-55.