Bend surgeon co-chairs St. Charles breast cancer program
Andy Higgins MD, FACS, a Bend-based breast and general surgeon, has been named co-chairman of the St. Charles Cancer Center’s Comprehensive Breast Program along with Dr. Linyee Chang, a radiation oncologist and medical director of St. Charles Cancer Center.
Higgins and Chang, along with several other Central Oregon caregivers, have been involved with the St. Charles Cancer Center’s Comprehensive Breast Program since inception.
The program represents the highest standards of care in treating the full spectrum of breast disease. In fact, in 2012 it was accredited through National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program of the American College of Surgeons.
The designation is the highest a program can receive and is only awarded to centers that demonstrate proficiency in leadership, clinical management, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement. Additionally, the program is a Certified Quality Breast Program through the National Consortium of Breast Centers.
According to Higgins, “Last year alone, nearly 250 women in Central Oregon were diagnosed with breast cancer. Having this program is essential, because it means these women can get the best treatment possible close to their homes and their support networks, which are so important to the healing process. It has been a privilege to be a part of this program, and I am honored to co-chair it with my colleague, Dr. Chang.”
Higgins has over 15 years of experience in the field of breast cancer surgery and has been in private practice for five years. For the last three years, he has also served as chairman of the Multidisciplinary Breast Conference, a team made up of breast and general surgeons, radiologists, medical oncologists, plastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, research coordinators and nurse navigators who meet every week to discuss all new breast cancer diagnoses made in Central Oregon.
For more information, please visit www.drandyhiggins.com and https://www.stcharleshealthcare.org/Our-Services/Cancer-Care
