A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the formal opening of the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) located at the Hutchinson Metro Center at 1250 Waters Place in Pelham Bay on Wednesday, Sept. 27.

 

The new center, located on the 7^th floor of Tower 1, will offer advanced imaging, minimally invasive surgery, and genetic counseling. The center will also provide high-risk breast cancer prevention and lymphedema prevention programs.

Dr. Phillip Ozuah, president and CEO of Montefiore Medicine told the crowd, “Really all of you, my colleagues at Montefiore, for what you do every day and the way in which you do it, thank you all.”

 

Laura Hodges, M.D., director of breast imaging & interventions at MECCC, said, “For many women, scheduling a breast exam means having to take off work, and then coming to an appointment that they feel anxious about.”

She added in part, “Having the latest breast care technologies gives women a handheld remote [device], allowing them to determine breast compression levels during their mammograms, are just some of the many elements at our new breast center that enables women to regain a sense of control.”

 

Sheldon Feldman, M.D., chief of breast surgery & surgical oncology and director at MECC Breast Cancer Services, added, “By tailoring every element of care to our patients’ needs, we will increase screenings and the number of minimally invasive treatment options for our Bronx community and beyond. Our goal is to reduce the incidence of late-stage cancers in New York.”

Joined by her two young daughters and a friend, Michelle, a cancer survivor, and resident of Fox Street in The Bronx, told the crowd in part, “It’s a pleasure to be here today watching all of you. I want to say thank you to my doctor; you have given me a chance to live, to remember, and to overcome.”

 

Also in attendance for the occasion were former elected officials, now Montefiore executives, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., and former NY Assemblyman Marcos Crespo.