Kingston Health Sciences Centre Appoints Dr. Doris Jabs to Fight Breast Cancer

Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) has taken a significant step in enhancing breast cancer care by appointing Dr. Doris Jabs as the first Rose of Hope clinical chair in breast health. This new role aims to improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment for breast cancer patients. The announcement was made on September 28, 2023, at the Johnson Auditorium located at Hotel Dieu.

The position is funded through a $1 million commitment from the Rose of Hope Golf Tournament, which has raised substantial funds for women’s health initiatives over the past 27 years. This year’s tournament alone generated $285,000, marking the beginning of the financial support for Dr. Jabs’ position. Since its inception, the tournament has contributed approximately $3.5 million to KHSC, aiding the establishment of Breast Imaging Kingston (BIK) and supporting a $1 million investment in a new MRI machine, set to be operational early next year.

Dr. Jabs, a seasoned radiologist with over two decades of experience, expressed her enthusiasm about assuming this role. “It’s so energizing. It’s so incredibly energizing,” she stated in an interview. “I have 20 years of ideas that I have been dying to try and get going. So for me, it was just a dream position to be able to have with the support and the momentum of the Rose of Hope because they are a fantastic group of women.”

As she embarks on this new journey, Dr. Jabs outlined her initial goals, with a particular focus on enhancing digital accessibility for patients. “We’re definitely needing to reimagine, reinvent, re-create our digital presence,” she explained. “In this day and age with AI and with technology, we need to be more accessible and more visible on our digital platforms.”

Future Goals and Patient-Centric Initiatives

Looking to the future, Dr. Jabs is exploring the introduction of a nurse navigator role to assist patients, particularly those with complex conditions, in navigating the healthcare system. She also highlighted the potential establishment of a rapid access clinic, which would aim to significantly reduce diagnosis times compared to existing systems. “A rapid access clinic is not a quick achievement, but that is absolutely something that’s high on my radar,” she noted.

While Dr. Jabs acknowledged the importance of accountability in her new role, she expressed confidence in the support she has received from the Rose of Hope committee. “There is accountability. I have to meet some metrics and make sure that I deliver on my promises,” she said. “But to know that I have that support and those women behind me, it makes it so inspiring.”

Sherri McCullough, chair of the Rose of Hope committee and a member of the KHSC board, emphasized the impact this new position will have on patient care. “This million-dollar clinical chair will result in better outcomes and more survivors,” McCullough stated. “With this announcement of the clinical chair, we will transform the way that care is delivered. It will be much more seamless; women will feel much more supported.”

McCullough reiterated the committee’s commitment to the project, highlighting their willingness to meet any emerging needs during the five-year funding period. “We very much look forward to next year when we get to see the results of Dr. Jab’s work in the first year.”

Ultimately, Dr. Jabs remains focused on prioritizing patient needs in her initiatives. “I want to improve patient outcomes. I want to make sure that these are patient-centered initiatives, where they have a voice and they’re felt to be empowered,” she concluded. “It’s essential to decrease their anxiety and absolutely make things more accessible.”