Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC) is expanding its women’s health services by launching a new plastic surgery program, providing breast reconstruction consultations and enhancing coordinated breast cancer care in the community.
The initiative aims to streamline the continuum of care for breast cancer patients, ensuring smoother transitions from diagnosis and treatment to recovery and reconstruction, while reducing the need for out-of-town appointments.
This expansion is made possible through the County of Essex’s $200,000 annual funding commitment.
“Patients deserve a care experience that is timely, coordinated, and close to home,” said Katelyn Dryden, CFO and Vice-President of Outpatient Services at Erie Shores HealthCare. “This expansion connects critical steps along the pathway, allowing patients to focus on healing, supported by the right teams at the right time.”
The funding will support the purchase of specialized surgical equipment for plastic surgery, as well as additional magnetic seed implants to improve the precision of biopsies.
The enhanced breast cancer care pathway at ESHC now includes extended Ontario Breast Screening Program appointments, contrast-enhanced mammography, timely biopsy services, surgical consultation and intervention, and breast reconstruction services.
“When services are integrated, it improves continuity for patients and allows teams to collaborate more effectively,” said Alicia Lutz, Clinical Director of Outpatient Services. “This addition supports a more complete, patient-centred experience from diagnosis through recovery.”
Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald emphasized the importance of local access to specialized care. “This investment will help more residents receive care closer to home, with less travel and fewer disruptions during an already difficult time,” MacDonald said. “The county is proud to support improvements that strengthen health care across our communities.”
Erie Shores HealthCare expects to perform its first breast reconstruction surgery under the new program in March.
