For Immediate Release
August 23, 2007

BUFFALO, NY - Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) officials moved their affiliation agreement forward today with the appointment of Eyad S. Al-Hattab, MD, as Medical Director of Oncology/Hematology at BRMC's new Cancer Care Center, which opened in January 2007, and attending physician at RPCI. Dr. Al-Hattab has joined Bradford Regional Medical Center's active medical staff, and will practice full-time in Bradford. He also will work with the RPCI faculty to improve access to quality cancer care for patients in the southern tier of New York State and northwestern Pennsylvania.

"Dr. Al-Hattab will solidify the affiliation agreement with the goal of delivering state-of-the-art cancer care beyond Roswell Park's immediate geographic area, while contributing significantly to our understanding of cancer through research and education," explained Dr. Donald L. Trump, President and CEO, RPCI.

At BRMC, the physician appointment is the final "building block" in a long-term strategic plan to improve the cancer care services in the region, according to BRMC President/CEO George Leonhardt. "Doing this required new facilities, specialists and key partners," explained Mr. Leonhardt. "In our new partnership with Roswell Park and the addition of Dr. Al-Hattab to our staff, we've achieved all three." 

Dr. Al-Hattab earned his medical degree from the University of Jordan, Amman, (1999).  He completed residency training in internal medicine at Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH (2004), and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, NY (2007). Dr. Al-Hattab is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is board-eligible in Oncology and Hematology. He has authored and co-authored several journal publications and book chapters.

BRMC and RPCI officials signed a regional affiliation network agreement in September 2006, to enhance oncology and hematology programs through research, education and patient care in Northwestern Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York. The affiliation allows physicians at RPCI to consult on cancer cases so as to provide additional knowledge and expertise that benefits patients while they receive treatment close to home. 

Dr. Al-Hattab's relationship with Roswell Park provides local BRMC patients with access to RPCI's treatment plans and protocols, including clinical trials. Physicians in BRMC's network benefit from the affiliation through enhanced continuing medical educational opportunities at Roswell Park’s Buffalo facility and in Bradford.

BRMC's Cancer Care & Hematology Services Department first opened in 1996 as an opportunity for local patients to receive professional care and treatment at a center conveniently located in their own community. The Cancer Care Center was formally relocated to the new Outpatient Services Center, located on BRMC's main campus in Bradford, in January 2007. Appointments are made via physician referral or patients can call directly for information. Cancer Care & Hematology Services provides up-to-date evaluation and treatment including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood transfusions and bone marrow biopsies. As part of the BRMC system, a wide range of related services are readily available, including nutritional counseling, pain management, supportive care, laboratory, patient and family support and education services. For additional information, individuals can call BRMC's Cancer Care Center at 814-362-8425 or log onto www.brmc.com. 

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. Roswell Park has affiliate sites and collaborative programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and in China. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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