“When a patient is dealing with a significant health issue, the process of receiving treatment can cause them to become disconnected from the many things that matter in life. This makes all of the things surrounding treatment take center stage, which can become even more stressful. The ability to maintain a normal routine is very beneficial to patients. Work and other activities provide a welcomed distraction as well as help maintain ties to friends, family, and support groups,” Dr. Young shared of the practicality of attaining care. From left to right... MaryBeth Davis, RN, April Berry, RN,
Kelley Young, MD, Rolando Breier, MD and Lee Pendleton, Oncology Pharmacist
Community
based
care
makes
maintaining a normal schedule and regular routine much more feasible.
A Year of Progress
The response to the practice has been overwhelmingly positive, and “We are unique because we are the only privately owned community
has brought many exciting changes to the Cancer and Blood Center.
based hematology/oncology practice in the area. Community based
One of the most notable milestones was the arrival of Dr. Rolando
care is very valuable because health care delivery is greatly enhanced
Breier in December of 2015. Dr. Breier, whose Board Certifications
by the personal doctor/patient relationship we offer, which includes
include Medical Oncology, Internal Medicine, Hospice and Palliative
involving the family or primary support team.”
Medicine also comes from a background at a larger facility.
Dr. Young, who is a Board Certified Oncologist/Hematologist,
“I came to the Kansas Institute of Medicine Cancer and Blood
specializes in Hematology and Oncology and treats a wide variety of
Center because I wanted to dedicate myself to more personalized
cancer diagnoses and blood disorders, recognizes the many obstacles
care. We really focus on quality of care versus quantity of care. When
patients face when managing health care.
patients come here, they get the time and support that they need and
“Community based care allows patients to receive leading-edge therapies while maintaining the critical ties of support with their local and personal communities. It also eliminates the problems of logistics, and having to travel long distances while not feeling at one’s best. Those things can become serious barriers for patients.”
There’s No Place Like Home
deserve,” shared Dr. Breier as he spoke of the importance of quality time with patients. For the Cancer and Blood Center, progress always equals enhanced patient care. “Our goal is to continue to find better ways to serve our patients, and never being satisfied with something that is good enough. We want to ensure that every patient has all the time they need to ask
One of the most distressing aspects about dealing with cancer and
questions and understand their diagnosis. This is a very important part
other disorders is disconnecting from the normalcy of life in order to
of providing real support, as well as the development of the most
obtain treatment. For some that means an extended amount of time
beneficial treatment plans. Progress is about giving patients the
away from home. For others it could mean having their schedules so
most support and the easiest access to the most advanced and
significantly disrupted that it is difficult to maintain their normal routines.
comprehensive treatments available,” Dr. Breier continued.
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KCH&S HEALTHY KANSAS CITY 2016