Judy is one of hundreds of area patients benefiting from the Oncology Center at LMH. In 2009, nearly 700 new patients were treated. In August 2010 alone, there were 1,597 “treatment encounters,” defined as any treatment, ranging from dressing changes to the administration of chemotherapy treatment. The fact that increasingly more cancer patients can receive care in Lawrence is gratifying to Ron Stephens, MD, an oncologist and the Oncology Center’s medical director, who has been on staff since the center’s inception. Recruited by hospital administration to enhance the oncology program, he has seen the center expand from a small consulting and outpatient treatment facility to a full-time, inpatient/outpatient care center, offering a broad range of cancer services. The center officially opened in 2001. That year, more than $118,000 for the center was raised in community donations to the Hearts of Gold Ball. Dr. Stein came on board the LMH Oncology Center staff in 2001; and in 2003 hematologist/oncologist Sharon Soule, MD, joined the team. A fourth physician, Michelle M. Affield, MD, will be joining the Oncology Center in November 2010. The facility itself has grown from a few treatment rooms to a large center that houses 15 treatment rooms, 10 exam rooms, a pharmacy, four nursing stations and a front office. “We have great surgical expertise — including plastics and ENT, for example,” Dr. Stephens says. “And we have more research protocols than our larger neighboring facilities.” The Oncology Center at LMH provides outstanding care; still, Dr. Stephens notes they are always working to make it better. His hope is to add more support staff, such as additional social workers and nutritionists.
Specialty services at the LMH Oncology Center:
Lawrence resident Judy Henderson is pleased she can receive treatment close to home.
Currently, the center participates in a government-funded program called the Wichita Community Clinical Oncology Program (WCCOP). Established in 1983, CCOPs are designed to ensure that cancer patients have access to leading-edge medical care in their communities. The program consists of a network of community hospitals and physicians conducting cancer prevention and treatment studies. Patient participation is voluntary. Dr. Stephens says the affiliation with the WCCOP provides our patients with treatments not available in other parts of northeastern Kansas. Jodi Carlson, RN, BSN, OCN, clinical research coordinator, says some patients have come to LMH from Topeka and Kansas City to participate in studies not available in those communities. “Patient participation is important, because these trials pave the way for new treatment strategies,” Jodi explains. “Currently, we are following about 120 patients who are participating.” Dr. Stephens adds that most local cancer patients benefit by having their day-in and day-out cancer challenges met right here at home, and oncology care doesn’t get any better than at LMH.
• 24-hour hematology/oncology consultation • Second opinions • Genetic counseling • Medical counseling by a doctor of pharmacy trained in cancer care • Nutritional counseling through LMH • Mario’s Closet (opening in 2011) • Lymphedema education/ management • Community education • Financial counseling • Several support groups — a breast cancer survivors group; a group for children whose parents or grandparents have been diagnosed with cancer called CLIMB (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery), funded by Richard and Khaki Raney in memory of their daughter Michelle Raney; I Can Cope; and Look Good, Feel Better
Step out for Halloween! Grab your costume and get your ticket to the Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer dance — a favorite annual community event, to be held this year on Saturday, October 30, at Crown Toyota in Lawrence. You’ll dance to music by Disco Dick and the Mirror Balls, have fun trying to win amazing theme baskets, and be inspired by the Breast Cancer Survivors Ceremony. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the LMH Gift Shop, Weaver’s, The Etc. Shop, Hurst Fine Diamonds or Baldwin Academy of Dance in Baldwin City. Call 505-3315 for more information. Proceeds support breast cancer education and detection for the community.
Take a virtual tour of Lawrence Memorial Hospital at www.lmh.org/virtualtour.
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