By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Cancer patients in the Attleboro area can now receive Dana-Farber Cancer Institute treatment closer to home, following the opening of a new outpatient center at Sturdy Health.
Dana-Farber and Sturdy Health officially opened the clinic Thursday, Aug. 6, on the third floor of Sturdy’s Cancer & Specialty Care Building at 20 O’Neil Blvd. in Attleboro, expanding access to medical oncology, hematology and infusion services for patients throughout southern Massachusetts.
The new Dana-Farber center includes 10 exam rooms and 17 infusion beds and offers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, along with treatment for blood disorders and services including genetic counseling, nutrition guidance, social work and palliative care.
Patients can also access select Dana-Farber clinical trials without traveling to Boston.
“Dana-Farber is proud to partner with Sturdy Health to expand access to high-quality oncology care for patients in the Attleboro area,” Dana-Farber President and CEO Benjamin Ebert said in a statement. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to bringing exceptional cancer care closer to where patients live.”
The opening marks the latest phase of a major expansion of specialty care on the Sturdy Health campus.
The three-story, 60,000-square-foot Cancer & Specialty Care Building opened last year following a multi-year, $60 million construction project. Designed to consolidate specialty services previously spread across different locations, the building has 50 exam rooms. Specialties housed there include cardiology, hematology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and surgical services.
Sturdy Health and Dana-Farber announced plans for the partnership in March 2025, when the organizations signed a letter of intent for Dana-Farber to operate an ambulatory cancer clinic in the building.
At the time, Sturdy officials said the partnership would build on cancer care already offered by the health system while giving local patients greater access to Dana-Farber specialists, clinical trials and supportive services.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering exceptional cancer care to the communities we serve,” Sturdy Health President and CEO Aimee Brewer said. “Together, we are ensuring patients can access Dana-Farber’s world-class expertise, innovative therapies and clinical trials close to home, while continuing to receive the personalized, compassionate care they know and trust.”
Beyond treatment, patients and their families have access to genetic counseling, nutrition services, social workers and resource specialists who can assist with issues such as transportation, food assistance and financial aid. Financial counseling, survivorship services and palliative care are also available.
Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone, state Sen. Paul Feeney and state Reps. James Hawkins and Adam Scanlon joined Dana-Farber and Sturdy Health officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 4.
“I am incredibly proud and grateful that Dana-Farber chose to partner with Sturdy Health to bring their world-class cancer treatment services to the Attleboro community,” DeSimone said. “I have no doubt that this remarkable partnership will help better the lives of innumerable patients battling cancer by bringing high-quality care closer to home.”
Hawkins pointed to the opening as particularly significant amid financial challenges and service reductions facing healthcare providers elsewhere in the state.
“In the midst of healthcare cuts in services and bankruptcies, Attleboro is fortunate to have Sturdy Health, who is adding emergency room capacity, maternal health capacity, and now improving cancer care by partnering with Dana-Farber,” Hawkins said. “With Dana-Farber in Attleboro, so many people will now be able to receive the best in cancer care without having to drive to Boston.”
Feeney said the partnership strengthens access to specialized care for patients and families throughout the region.
“The people of our communities deserve world-class care close to home,” Feeney said. “I am grateful to the team at Sturdy Health and Dana-Farber for their investment here in Attleboro.”