When Brad Badeau's wife Kath was diagnosed with breast cancer at North York General Hospital (NYGH) about 14 years ago, it was a scary time. She went on to receive surgery at NYGH and the hospital helped her through a successful recovery. A few years later, Brad's sister also received breast cancer care at NYGH. What Brad remembers about both experiences is the culture of caring.

“It's how you're treated, how you're communicated with," he says.

“Of course, it's possible to provide excellent care and act in an insensitive way. But that's not good enough. Providers should strive to be the best they can be and that includes compassion, empathy and caring. At this hospital, it isn't just the care you're getting, but the feeling that the people helping you care about you. That's the magic of this place."

NYGH's breast cancer program is well known for its patient-centered approach and its high performance, including its provincially recognized wait times for key surgeries and holistic and personalized support for patients, families and caregivers.

With advanced imaging, a team of surgeons, radiologists, nurses, pathologists, technologists, geneticists and social workers among others specializing in breast cancer, and a robust multi-language library for patients, it is no surprise the program recently earned accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), administered by the American College of Surgeons.

NYGH's breast cancer program was the first of its kind in Canada to receive this designation of excellence in 2016 and continues to be the only NAPBC-accredited program in the country.  This is a remarkable accomplishment for a cancer program based at a Canadian community academic hospital.

“Continued accreditation through the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers acknowledges how people with breast cancer receive the best possible care through their entire care journey with North York General," says Marina Bitton, Director of Cancer Care at NYGH. “It speaks volumes about our multidisciplinary team's hard work and commitment to delivering highest standard of cancer care."

Breast centres seeking NAPBC accreditation undergo a rigorous site evaluation every three years. NYGH's Breast Cancer Program had to demonstrate compliance with standards set by the NAPBC including proficiency in leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education, and quality improvement for patients. 

“Through our Integrated Care Collaborative, our patients receive holistic, coordinated and timely care from our providers, clinics and services from diagnosis to recovery at home," says Dr. Peter Stotland, Interim Chief of Surgery and Program Co-Medical Director of Surgery at NYGH. “Our multidisciplinary team of experts—including our dedicated volunteers—are here for patients every step of the way and are passionate about working together to achieve the best possible outcomes." 

Ever since his wife's surgery, Brad Badeau has been, as he puts it, “all in" with respect to North York General and its importance to patient care within the community. He is a strong supporter of research at the hospital, funding a research chair and several other research and quality improvement initiatives. Brad also serves on NYGH's Board of Governors.

   Dr. Peter Stotland

“I look at the care Kath and my sister received, at every single step, and they are the reason why I want to help other women have just as good an experience," says Brad.

NYGH's Breast Cancer Program is also part of NYGH's outstanding surgical program that was recognized by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) for achieving meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care. Learn more here.

As a participant in select American College of Surgeons Quality Programs, NYGH is an ACS Surgical Quality Partner. Being a Surgical Quality Partner signifies a health care organization's dedication to consistently improving procedures and approaches, while maintaining a critical eye on process at every step. Patients can trust NYGH is dedicated to quality and relentless self-improvement and is accredited by the ACS.

   Brad Badeau

Learn more about North York General's Breast Cancer Program and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.