As part of its expansion into southern New Hampshire, Dartmouth Cancer Center (DCC) is actively building disease-specific cancer care teams, who will provide specialized care for people with breast, thoracic, and gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in Manchester, Nashua and surrounding communities.
“Our goal is to provide our patients in southern New Hampshire with access to state-of-the-art outpatient care and resources locally, with a strong connection to the full range of services and advanced care available at DCC in Lebanon when needed,” said Christi Ann Hayes, MD, Medical Director for DCC in Manchester and Nashua. “As a result, we’re rethinking our oncology care model and strategically recruiting to bring comprehensive care closer to where our patients live and work.”
Building specialty teams
The breast cancer program was the first to launch in the multi-specialty clinic. With a breast medical oncologist, breast surgeon and advanced practice provider (APP) already on board, the team recently added a radiation oncologist who will see patients with breast cancer.
The GI cancer program will follow a similar model, with a GI oncologist joining the team in early summer 2026. The team also plans to recruit a pancreatic specialist, colorectal surgeon and APP.
A specialized thoracic oncologist, thoracic surgeon, and other pulmonology experts will staff the thoracic oncology program for patients with lung and chest cancers.
In addition, a neuro-oncology clinic will allow patients with brain tumors to meet with a neuro-oncologist, neuro-radiologist and neurosurgeon during a single convenient appointment.
Strong connections support comprehensive care
Providers from each site will meet regularly with providers in DCC Lebanon to discuss new patients as a team and come up with treatment recommendations. Patients will also have access to medical genetics, palliative care, and mental health, social work and supportive services through DCC Lebanon, as well as telehealth.
“Our multidisciplinary cancer teams have been delivering high-quality, patient-centered care in Lebanon for decades. With this level of specialized cancer care not previously available in southern New Hampshire, we’re excited to take our model on the road,” said Hayes.