Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

For Referring Providers: Future Cancer Hospital and Collaboration Information

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    Clinical Collaboration and Transition Questions

    857-215-4660

    Need to refer a patient? Use our online referral form or call 877-441-3324.

    Dana-Farber is beginning a new clinical collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a Harvard Medical School-affiliated teaching hospital. These FAQs address some common referring provider questions.

    Frequently Asked Questions

      How is Dana-Farber's care model changing?

      Dana-Farber continues to value our multi-disciplinary care model. Dana-Farber’s medical oncologists remain the backbone of care coordinating seamless, integrated oncology care from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

      As part of our new collaboration, DFCI will continue to provide medical oncology, and BIDMC will provide surgical oncology, radiology, pathology and specialty services.

      Dana-Farber and BIDMC will jointly provide radiation oncology.

      Is the process for referring a patient to Dana-Farber changing?

      No. As always, referrals to Dana-Farber can be made via our online form or by calling: 877-441-3324.

      Dana-Farber and its clinical collaborators will continue to coordinate the records, images, pathology, and other clinical information needed to support timely, connected care for referred patients.

      When is the change to the BIDMC collaboration happening?

      The clinical transition to BIDMC has already begun and will continue in phases over the next two years with the transition of all treatment centers and clinical services completed by the end of September 2028.

      Can patients choose to stay with their current surgeon, radiation oncologist, or other specialist?

      Yes. Patients with surgeons, radiation oncologists, or specialists at Brigham and Women's Hospital can choose to continue with them or switch to a BIDMC provider. As we always have, we will continue to honor patients' choice of provider.

      With this change, where does cancer care take place?

      Patients will continue to receive outpatient care at our Boston-area campuses in the Longwood Medical Area and Chestnut Hill without interruption or change in location.

      Some surgical, radiation oncology, imaging, specialty, or other appointments for our Boston patients that were previously performed at BWH may transition to BIDMC, but oncology care will continue to be led by Dana-Farber clinicians.

      There are no planned changes to the local oncology care provided at our regional campuses in Brighton, Weymouth, Foxborough, Milford, Merrimack Valley, Londonderry, or our new campus in Attleboro, opening in August.

      If my patient needs to go to the Emergency Room or requires a direct inpatient transfer, who should I call and how will transfers be handled?

      For now, emergency department and inpatient access remain unchanged. To request an inpatient transfer from a community hospital to the appropriate Dana-Farber care team, call 857-215-3262, and our Access team will assist you to make ensure the transfer proceeds smoothly.

      What if I have questions?

      For specific questions regarding our treatment center transitions, call our dedicated Physician Information Line: 857-215-4660.

      This webpage will be kept up to date with the latest information on the transition, and periodic updates will also be sent via email.

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      Our Vision for the Future of Cancer Care

      Since 1947, Dana-Farber has been at the forefront of blending exceptional cancer care with leading-edge, transformative science.  At the core of what we do is a patient-centered approach with a singular focus — cancer care. That focus has driven us throughout our history, and it has resulted in plans for a new dedicated inpatient cancer hospital, owned and operated by Dana-Farber, and a transformative clinical collaboration.

      More About Our Vision