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TMH adjusts to oncologist’s departure
WARREN
Trumbull Memorial Hospital’s medical oncologist, Dr. Faheem Ahmad, is leaving the area, but the Oncology Department is continuing to provide radiation and inpatient services.
Dr. Ahmad, an employee of University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center in Cleveland, with which TMH has an affiliation, notified TMH in September of his plans to relocate out of the state, said Christine M. Ruggieri, TMH marketing director.
“Fortunately, our community has great resources for medical oncology locally through the Hope Center for Cancer Care of Warren with which four medical oncologists are affiliated,” Ruggieri said.
She said Dr. Ahmad’s patients were informed of his plans to relocate several weeks ago, and they were advised that the Hope Center would accept patients who want to continue medical oncology treatments locally. For patients who wish to continue using the UH Ireland Cancer Centers for their treatments, there are locations at Chagrin Highlands, Landerbrook or Geauga Hospital. Since patients were given several weeks notice, they have been able to make their transitions to new physicians and to continue their treatments without interruption, Ruggieri said.
In the meantime, TMH is aggressively pursuing another oncologist, possibly from Ireland or the Hope Center, she said.
Hospital employees affected are those who worked directly with the oncologist. However, they are not laid off but moved to other positions in the hospital, she said.
Cancer-care services are an important part of TMH’s long-term strategic plan and commitment to the community, said Robert G. Wolleben, chief executive officer.
“Our community is fortunate to have excellent medical oncology specialists available, and the hospital looks forward to working in partnership with these physicians to continue oncology services close to where our patients live and work. We are working on a number of alternatives to ensure that oncology,” he said.