The Queen’s Medical Center, Women’s Health Center

In
fact, the findings upended Queen’s existing plan for a health center focused solely
on breast cancer. The survey results convinced the hospital to expand on its original
vision and build a comprehensive health center for women. In addition to breast
health services, including testing, diagnosis and treatment, the center will offer
an array of health and wellness programs in an inviting atmosphere.

“When
we got the surveys back, we knew we had to build a comprehensive center for women,”
says Lindsey Carry, director of the Women’s Health Center, which will open this
fall. “Although women and men can have the same diseases, they don’t always have
the same symptoms. Gender-specific care is the latest trend in women’s health,
where we focus on women and their needs to provide them the best comprehensive
care possible.”

The Women’s Health Center at Queen’s will make its debut
late this month or early next. The $3.5 million, 10,000-square-foot facility adjoins
the new front lobby, which opened in August. Under one roof, patients can find
diagnostic services (mammography, ultrasound and bone-density tests, for example),
osteoporosis evaluations and treatments, consultations on genetics and menopause,
physical therapy and counseling services. The center will also provide other perks,
such as wellness workshops, massage and cooking and exercise classes.

Courtesy: The Queen’s Medical Center

“We knew our
services were fragmented, and we wanted to bring them together in one easy, accessible
place,” Carry says. “We help connect patients with our physicians, and there about
1,100 of them. Our role is to bring the women in, build relationships with them,
do health assessments, provide diagnostic care, education and prevention and,
if they need additional support, we sit down right there with them.”

The
center doesn’t look like your average hospital, either. Queen’s designed the facility
to look more like an Island hotel, with hardwood floors, large ceiling fixtures,
cushy floral print chairs, lots of natural light and carved koa panels. In the
reception area, patients will find a concierge, who can help them find a doctor,
sign up for classes or, if they’re interested, locate a good restaurant downtown.
There are four mammography suites, five extra-large ultrasound rooms (with lots
of space for family members), a radiology reading area and two treatment rooms
for massages and facials.

“Women want this calm, serene, soothing setting
to come into, and that’s what they deserve,” says Sharon Otani, the center’s operation
manager. “But what they’re going to judge us by is patient care, how we’re dealing
with them.”

Healthcare is a business, after all, and customer service is
key. The center offers women more than just routine doctors’ appointments. It
creates a total experience.

Women diagnosed with cancer, for instance,
will be assigned a navigator, a nurse to guide them from diagnosis to treatment-scheduling
appointments, joining support groups and so on.

“It’s all about reducing
anxiety for patients,” Otani says. “We give them the education they need, hold
their hand if they need it. Medicine tends to be difficult sometimes, and we help
them understand their choices and individualize their programs.”

The Women’s
Health Center will also introduce a new bone-density scanning machine, which detects
osteoporosis or evaluates risk for the disease. This new technology cuts down
test time from half an hour to five minutes.

“It’s a privilege for us to
take care of a patient,” Otani says. “I always want to remember how much patients
are placing themselves in our hands. They’re baring themselves to us physically
and emotionally, and we really want to honor that by giving them the best care
possible.”