health & wellness
Healing With Heart
21st Century Oncology opens cancer treatment center in Troy.
I
Jackie Headapohl
Managing Editor
R
ecently, 21st Century Oncology
of Michigan opened a new, state-
of-the-art cancer treatment
center in Troy within the UnaSource
Health Comprehensive Medical Campus.
Staffed by a group of specialists, includ-
ing Dr. Jeffrey Forman, co-chair of the
Maimonides Society of Southeastern
Michigan, the center provides a conve-
nient option for those undergoing radia-
tion therapies.
Using an integrated approach, the
center provides patients the latest cancer
treatment advances and a unified team of
medical professionals — working togeth-
er across multiple specialties.
"By opening a new location in Troy,
this center will provide a more conve-
nient location for nearby residents,"
says Forman, a board-certified radiation
oncologist at 21st Century Oncology.
"All of these capabilities
care professionals since
within a single building
it was re-energized three
make us one of the most
years ago.
inclusive cancer centers
Many of the Jewish
in Michigan. We're like a
physicians in the organiza-
cancer hospital without
tion participate in Project
the hospital."
Chessed, a program of
Forman, a physician
Jewish Family Service
for 30 years, previously
that provides health care
for medically uninsured
practiced medicine at the
University of Michigan and
adults by connecting them
to physicians willing to
Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Dr. Jeffrey Forman
Forman is Brooklyn-born
provide needed treatment.
and attended Union College
Forman told the CEO of 21st
in New York where he met his wife,
Century Oncology, Dr. Daniel Dosoretz,
a Jewish physician from Buenos Aires,
Miriam. The couple just celebrated their
25th anniversary.
Argentina, about Project Chessed.
Forman attends West Bloomfield-based
"He was moved," Forman said. "Now
Temple Israel where he got connected
our company takes care of a number of
with Rabbi Paul Yedwab and was inspired patients regardless of their ability to pay."
Forman, the incoming chairman of
to re-ignite the Maimonides Society, a
national organization of health care pro-
Federation's annual campaign, has always
fessionals involved in the community.
been concerned with getting help to
Forman is co-chair of the organization,
those who need it. While on the 2011
Sherman Leadership Mission of the
which has grown to include 1,500 health
2129 Orchard Lake Road
28
April 4 • 2013
Detroit Jewish Federation to escort Jews
from Ethiopia to Israel, he made a visit to
Addis Ababa and met Rick Hodes, medi-
cal director of Ethiopia for the American
Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
(JDC).
Hodes introduced him to 11-year-old
Feleke Kumbi, who was suffering from
Hodgkin's disease. Forman agreed to pro-
vide the child with free radiation therapy
once a host family in Michigan was
found for him. Today a happy and active
12-year-old, Feleke is cancer-free. (See
story on the next page.)
Two Roles He Plays
Forman says he has two roles as a physi-
cian. The first is to provide evaluation and
consultation in his two areas of expertise:
breast and prostate cancer. "I pride myself
on being a good communicator and good
educator; he says, "and I guide patients to
make the right decisions."
His second role is to provide the need-
ed radiation treatment for his patients,
Sylvan Lake, MI, 48320