Dr. Doris Jabs speaks about her new role aimed at supporting breast care in the region
Breast cancer screening and care in our region is getting a boost with the creation of the Rose of Hope Clinical Chair in Breast Health, and Dr. Doris Jabs a women’s imaging expert, is stepping into this new role.
She already serves as a radiologist and the regional lead for the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) in the Southeast region. Now, she’s ready to bring her passion, expertise, and vision together to strengthen breast health services across the entire spectrum of care.
“It’s a passion,” she says. “It’s special to still be excited about something 20 years on. I love the clients I meet; I love the people I work with, and I love being able to help diagnose and treat this disease.”
The Rose of Hope Clinical Chair in Breast Health is all about improving breast cancer screening and care in the region. It’s a leadership position with a focus on building capacity and strengthening relationships.
Building a stronger breast health system
Breast cancer is scary, and the screening and diagnostic journey can be confusing.
“It’s a stressful time and women need to navigate all of this themselves.”
Clients and patients move between different teams—family doctors, radiologists, surgeons, oncologists—it can be a long, winding path.
“The clinical chair will play a huge role in filling in any gaps. It’s about bringing these teams together to help clients navigate, without feeling like they’re just being passed from one care team to another. It's about continuity of care.”
Another major component is outreach, advocacy and education.
“We want women to be more engaged in their breast health,” she says. “It would mean bringing more clients into the screening system, especially those from underrepresented and marginalized groups.”
And her vision doesn’t stop in Kingston.
“In this role I can actually reach out to our partners across the region to find ways to work together as a system. It's not just a dream now – I have the ability to make this happen.”
The goal is to shorten wait-times and speed up diagnosis. With this new role, Dr. Jabs has the ability to further drive improvements through tangible strategies, like creating a rapid access clinic and hiring a nurse navigator to assist patients.
"Something special is happening...”
To Dr. Jabs, the Clinical Chair in Breast Health is the next logical progression for breast health in our region.
“We have the best-of-the-best in terms of technology at [Breast Imaging Kingston], so Rose of Hope has shifted their focus to support something that's going to focus on the system while keeping us on the cutting edge of technology. Doing so will attract a huge amount of expertise to our facility and region.”
KHSC’s world-class Breast Imaging Kingston facility and expert team are also playing a key part.
“Being at BIK is like a breath of fresh air. It's bright, new and safe. The focus is on clients and there’s no noise or distraction. Now, you add on this clinical chair role, and we can elevate this. It's spectacular.”
“Something special is happening at BIK.”
Power beyond hope
Dr. Jabs is moved by the support provided by the Rose of Hope.
“I was pretty blown away and overwhelmed to be at this year’s tournament—to see the level of investment these women have,” she recalls. “At the dinner, I was even more blown away by how involved they were. They’re truly driving support for this type of care. It was pretty humbling.”
And the community, by coming together, has already moved mountains.
“Breast Imaging Kingston wouldn’t really be here if it wasn’t for Rose of Hope and other members of our community. They’ve been huge supporters of the clinic, the technology, and now the team as well. It’s changed how we deliver care.”
But it’s just the beginning.
“I’ve been working here for 25 years, and I love what I do. I’ve had all these ideas about how we could make things better. And I never really felt like I could make that fly—until I attended the Rose of Hope tournament.”
“I know how much support I have behind me now. I can take all this energy and funnel it into something that makes a real difference. It’s not just me—I can feel that energy. I know we’re going to accomplish a lot together.”
