TAMC MEDICAL NEWS
Dr. Vatsala Kirtani
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC) recently welcomed hematologist and oncologist Dr. Vatsala Kirtani to Aroostook Cancer Care at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital.
Kirtani comes to Presque Isle from Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y., where she completed her residency. Subsequently, she completed a fellowship in geriatric medicine at Winthrop University Hospital and went on to pursue training in hematology and oncology which she completed in 2011. She became board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
“I began my medical school career in India and I felt that a diagnosis of cancer in rural areas usually meant a complete lack of hope,” said Kirtani. “People were suffering. I felt that I could help change that outcome.”
Kirtani earned her bachelor of medicine and surgery degree in 1994 from the Goa Medical College in Bambolim, Goa, India, and then came to New York in order to pursue her education in oncology.
“When I started my training, the pharmaceutical companies were just beginning to come out with the newer cancer drugs we now use,” said Kirtani. “Now, we have so many options to choose from and with a lot less side effects. The face of cancer treatment has changed dramatically. It has been really exciting to watch and learn about the progress in cancer research and I look forward to where the research will take us next.”
The hospital’s growing cancer center was one reason why the doctor chose to practice at TAMC, but she was also attracted to the rural character of Aroostook County. Mineola, N.Y., Dr. Kirtani’s previous home, is located on Long Island.
“My family and I were looking for a quiet place,” she said. “The people are very nice, and the community has been very welcoming. It is beautiful and peaceful here. We have spent so long living in cities, that it is nice to have space and a relaxing environment.”
Kirtani joins Dr. Ron Rohe, Dr. Arjun Sood and Gibson Crawford, PA-C at Aroostook Cancer Care. Aroostook Cancer Care is a comprehensive cancer center that treats roughly 4,000 patients a year. Aroostook Cancer Care’s physicians have over 40 years of experience in hematology/oncology and work collaboratively to treat every diagnosis. The medical oncologists, radiation oncologist, oncology nurses, radiologists, pathologist and key healthcare providers meet on a weekly basis to discuss newly diagnosed patients and their treatment plans. This meeting also serves as an educational forum to discuss the newest treatments available to oncology providers and their patients.
Referrals to Aroostook Cancer Care can be made through any primary care provider. For more information about Dr. Kirtani or Aroostook Cancer Care, call 768-4151.
TAMC is a member of EMHS. Members of EMHS work to ensure the highest quality of care is available to all who need it, especially those in rural Maine.
New urology practice
PRESQUE ISLE — The Aroostook Medical Center recently announced that urologist Dr. Imbesat Daudi and his staff have joined TAMC Urology Services, a new specialty physician practice located at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital. Dr. Daudi has operated a urology practice for many years on Academy Street in Presque Isle.
In October, TAMC will welcome urologist Dr. Brian Niles. Dr. Niles will be relocating to Aroostook County from Missouri, where he practiced medicine at urology clinics in Farmington and Crystal City. Dr. Daudi, who is planning to leave the practice for other pursuits later this year, will continue to provide services to his patients until Dr. Niles joins the practice and becomes established.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Daudi and his staff to the TAMC team,” said Kathy Lancaster, director of physician services. “Patients will receive the same great care they have come to expect from Dr. Daudi’s office through the years. We look forward to working with Dr. Daudi and Dr. Niles to ensure a smooth transition.”
The new urology practice is TAMC’s 10th specialty practice. TAMC’s other specialty practices include: Aroostook Cancer Care, Aroostook General & Vascular Surgery Center, Aroostook Heart & Lung Center, Nephrology Services, OB/GYN & Nurse Midwifery Services, Occupational Health & Wellness, Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Radiation Oncology and Sleep Medicine Services.
Anyone with questions or needing directions can call the office at 768-4562.
Nursing initiative
The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC) has announced its selection and participation in Aligning Forces for Quality Transforming Care at the Bedside (AF4Q TCAB). Bringing together hospital teams from across the state to lead improvements in the quality and safety of patient care, it is a part of an innovative nationwide program led by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — the nation’s largest philanthropy dedicated to improving the health and health care of all Americans.
AF4Q TCAB is a new nurse-led hospital program that engages frontline staff to work together to identify, pilot, test and adopt new practices over an 18-month period. The program also aims to increase the strength and retention of nurses and frontline staff, engage and improve the patient’s experience of care and improve the effectiveness of the entire care team. Participating nurses will then share their successes and lessons learned with other hospitals across the country.
“As Maine and the nation look at improving care, it is important that we provide local models of reforms that are good for everyone,” said Lynn Turnbull, TAMC director of patient care services/associate chief nursing officer. “TAMC’s participation in this program shows that we are committed to being a leader in improving patient care and increasing efficiency to produce better outcomes.”
Since 2007, the state of Maine has been targeted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) with resources to improve health care. Maine Quality Counts was selected by RWJF to lead the local AF4Q alliance. In all, 16 regions of the country have been designated as part of Aligning Forces. In each region, a range of efforts to help doctors, nurses and hospitals improve quality — as well as engage consumers to be better patients — is being tested.
“By participating in AF4Q TCAB, nurses at TAMC will be on the frontlines, working together with others across Maine to communicate innovations and improve the care they deliver,” said Vilma Craig, TAMC nurse manager. “This program will empower our staff to reduce errors and improve quality, reduce harm from falls and practice evidence-based care.”
The AF4Q TCAB program in Maine is being convened by Maine Quality Counts. Funded by RWJF, AF4Q and all of the regional TCAB efforts are coordinated by The Center for Health Care Quality at The George Washington University Medical Center School of Public Health and Health Services, which serves as the national program office for the Aligning Forces for Quality initiative. Local hospitals were recently asked to apply to participate in this hospital-based quality improvement component of the initiative.
