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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 15 M A R C H 1 0 , 2 0 2 5 F O C U S L I F E S C I E N C E S / I N N OVAT I O N Partnerships expand care options e Rock Row center currently has 11 doctors, with access to more through its affiliation with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Cote says patients can take advantage of the institute's cutting-edge treatments, connect for second opinions and receive shared care with doctors at Rock Row and Dana-Farber's specialists, without trav- eling to Boston. Leading-edge screenings for early detection of liver, ovarian, pancreatic, esophageal and colon cancers, which have been the most elusive to testing, are another piece of the Dana-Farber partnership. "Outcomes are drasti- cally improved when disease is caught early," Cote says. In Maine, NECS partners with Central Maine Health Care in Lewiston and Northern Light Health. ey work too with the new Dempsey Center, upstairs in the Rock Row building. One of the benefits of that collaboration is visits from the "Dempsey dogs" to com- fort patients undergoing infusions. e NECS center started seeing patients in mid-February and additional services are still being added, including counseling and support for families and caregivers, which Cote says is an essen- tial piece to support healing. Cancer "surveillance" and "survi- vorship" services will become dedi- cated focuses at the center in May. "Survivorship is actually the most anxious time for patients," Cote says. "When you've been in treatment, you've had an entire team taking care of you. When treatment is done, you still need support and rehabilitation. "Saco Bay Physical erapy will be joining us in April. ey'll provide pre- habilitation to get you strong before you start treatment, which is incredibly valu- able," Cote says. We have collaboration down to a science. The Maine Technology Institute and the Department of Economic & Community Development support life science innovation in Maine. By fostering breakthrough research and development, we're helping drive industry growth and enhance the economic prosperity of our state and its people. mainetechnology.org Join us in supporting innovation and economic growth. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » There are 10,000 firsts when you walk in our doors. Anxiety is high, we understand that. I myself have had cancer twice, once as a child and once as an adult. I know what our patients are going through. — Claire Cote New England Cancer Specialists

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