Kingston Health Sciences Centre adds new role in breast cancer fight

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Kingston Health Sciences Centre has introduced a new chair in breast health in an effort to improve health outcomes in Kingston.

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During an announcement on Thursday in Johnson Auditorium at Hotel Dieu, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) named Dr. Doris Jabs as the first Rose of Hope clinical chair in breast health, a role designed to improve screening, diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer patients at KHSC. The position is being funded through a five year, $1-million pledge from the Rose of Hope Golf Tournament, with this year’s event raising $285,000 to be used for the position’s first installment

Since its inception 27 years ago, the tournament has generated about $3.5 million for women’s health programs at KHSC, including assisting with the establishment of Breast Imaging Kingston (BIK) along with a $1-million commitment for an MRI that will be operational at BIK early next year.

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Jabs, a radiologist with more than two decades of experience, said the opportunity to step into the role is exciting, adding that she has plenty of ideas to pursue.

“It’s so energizing. It’s so incredibly energizing,” she said in an interview with the Whig. “I have 20 years of ideas that I have been dying to try and get going. So for me, it was just a dream position to be able to have with the support and the momentum of the Rose of Hope because they are a fantastic group of women.”

As for her initial goals, Jabs explained that her first priorities included improving digital accessibility.

“We’re definitely needing to reimagine, reinvent, re-create our digital presence. I think, in this day and age with AI and with technology, we need to be more accessible and more visible on our digital platforms,” she said.

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For more long-term goals, she explained that they’re exploring a nurse navigator role, which would help guide patients, especially those with complex conditions, through the health-care system. Additionally, she said they’re looking into the creation of a rapid access clinic.

“It’s a clinic that almost fast tracks you. So the time to diagnosis is significantly less than if you’re put through the routine systems that currently exist,” she said. “A rapid access clinic is not a quick achievement, but that is absolutely something that’s high on my radar.”

She also recognized her need to deliver on promises, but added that the support she’s received makes her confident.

“There is accountability. I have to meet some metrics and make sure that I deliver on my promises. But to know that I have that support and those women (from Rose of Hope) behind me, it makes it so inspiring.”

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For Sherri McCullough, the chair of the Rose of Hope committee and a KHSC board member, the new position is part of the organization’s goal of improving care for women.

“This million dollar clinical chair will result in better outcomes and more survivors,” McCullough said in an interview. “With this announcement of the clinical chair, we will transform the way that care is delivered. It will be much more seamless, women will feel much more supported, and they will have a rapid access clinic, a research nurse navigator — just really enhanced care.”

McCullough added that given their multi-year commitment, their support and commitment to the chair will continue, explaining that they look forward to seeing Jabs get to work.

“It’s a five-year pledge for the million dollars that we’re donating to this project, so we will continue to fulfill that pledge, and we will meet any need that comes our way. We very much look forward to next year (when we get to see) the results of Dr. Jab’s work in the first year.”

At the core, Jabs stressed that all of these efforts remain focused on patients.

“I want to improve patient outcomes. I want to make sure that these are patient-centered initiatives, where they have a voice and they’re felt to be empowered, decrease their anxiety, and absolutely make things more accessible.”

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