The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology

This is the best medical facility I have ever been to, bar none. What makes the place special is the excellent staff starting with Dr. Leonard Farber and every one of the professional and caring staff. Their special gift to make you feel like family and genuine concern for your well-being takes a load off you in a very difficult time in your life and I am forever grateful to all of them.

The Farber Center for Radiation Oncology (now called the Lower Manhattan Cancer Center part of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center) is unlike any medical facility that I have ever been to.

When I first called to make an appointment, I spoke with Vivian, who was so friendly for a moment I forgot that I was calling a medical office. Dr. Farber later explained to me that when he was putting together the clinic, he was more concerned about the quality of the people that he was hiring and less concerned about the specific background and experience that they had. He said he could train the right people about protocol and procedures but couldn't train someone to be understanding, nice, compassionate, and caring. He felt that these qualities were very important in assembling the right staff, and in my opinion he was exactly right.

Upon my arrival for my first visit, Jessica greeted me with a friendly smile as if she had known me for years. What a pleasant surprise. The staff (Vivian, Francis, Jessica, Amy, Lindsey, Kim, Dave and Manna) was equally friendly and helpful. Even though prostate cancer is not usually as frightening as other cancers, it still is cancer and has the associated fears that cancer brings up.

As an industrial designer, I was impressed by the thoughtfulness and care that went into the building of the center. Beginning with the entry, the center starts its friendliness. There is a tile work on the steps starts with the presentation... to the side there is a gentle ramp for those who can't comfortably handle the steps. Once inside, the greeting area is very spacious with comfortable non-hospital type seating with a beautiful fireplace accented with rocks (more on the rocks later). The bathrooms are appointed with contemporary fixtures and lighting... again not hospital like. The changing rooms are spacious and comfortable. Instead of horrible paper gowns, or uncomfortable "hospital type gowns", they use terry cloth gowns and socks embroidered with the Farber logo...nice touch.

Each time I met with Dr. Farber, I never had the feeling that he was rushing to get me out. He would spend as much time with me as needed. He is warm, compassionate, and affable and he has found a happy staff that completely reflects these values.

At the end of my treatment, I was given a rock and a glitter magic marker and asked write something on the rock and place it in the fireplace, which is full of other rocks signed by others who also had completed the same treatment... I was now a member of the family. As another reviewer said "I arrived there, a patient and will leave there, a friend." I absolutely agree. While I won't miss the radiation, I will miss the people.

Even though the center is truly equipped with absolute state of the art equipment, its real strength comes from the staff led by Dr. Farber. This is the place to go to feel comfortable about the treatment not because the facility is so wonderful but because the staff is. This is really the place to go to.

Dr. Farber is best for radiation oncology treatment.

I am very grateful to have been a patient of Dr. Farber for several years. It would be almost impossible to describe the level of compassionate care I have received. The Farber Center is a marvel of state of the art equipment, patient comfort, and an attentive and helpful staff. I highly recommend both Dr. Farber and the Farber Center. He is truly wonderful doctor!!!
JeffreyK NYC

Beautiful facility and top-notch, caring, knowledgeable practitioners who made an otherwise difficult process seem like a breeze. I would recommend this facility to anyone without hesitation. Everyone at the Farber Center looks at patients as people and not just as their illness.