Eric C. Orme, MD
Heart Clinics Northwest 122 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 310 Spokane, WA 99204 509-838-7711 John G. Peterson, MD
Providence Spokane Cardiology 212 East Central Avenue, Suite 240 Spokane, WA 99208 509-455-8820 Michael E. Ring, MD
Providence Spokane Cardiology Providence Spokane Heart Institute 122 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 450 Spokane, WA 99204 509-455-8820 Michael Williams, MD
Heart Clinics Northwest 122 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 310 Spokane, WA 99204 509-838-7711 Colon and Rectal Surgery M. Shane McNevin, MD
Surgical Specialists of Spokane 105 West Eighth Avenue, Suite 7010 Spokane, WA 99204 509-747-6194 Critical Care Medicine
Daniel R. Coulston, MD Rockwood Pulmonary and Critical Care Center 910 West Fifth Avenue, Suite 1001 Spokane, WA 99204 509-623-1456
mimics the informal peer-to-peer process doctors themselves use to identify the right specialists for their patients. Using a polling method and balloting software, that Gallup® has audited and certified, they gather the insight and experience of tens of thousands of leading specialists all over the country, while confirming their credentials and specific areas of expertise. The result is the Best Doctors in America® List, which includes the nation’s most respected specialists and outstanding primary care physicians in the nation. These are the doctors that other doctors recognize as the best in their fields. They cannot pay a fee and are not paid to be listed and cannot nominate or vote for themselves. It is a list which is truly unbiased and respected by the medical profession and patients alike as the source of top quality medical information.
New Cancer Alliance Launches First Treatment Program Cancer Care Northwest, Kootenai Health and Providence Health Care have formed a regional cancer alliance called InnerPacific Alliance for Cancer Care, LLC. “The new name expresses the intended purpose of the alliance to provide integrated and comprehensive cancer care for patients in the Inland Northwest, with a full-range of treatment options and supportive care to meet the needs of every patient,” says Elaine Couture, chief executive of Providence Health Care and member of the InnerPacific Alliance for Cancer Care Executive Board. The three organizations shared a desire to create a regional cancer alliance aimed at elevating the quality, coordination and experience for cancer patients and their families throughout the region. The alliance was formalized and launched its first initiative – a comprehensive radiation oncology program – effective January 1, 2015. All outpatient radiation oncology services for the alliance are now provided by Cancer Care Northwest. Patients are able to receive comprehensive, personalized radiation oncology services from a single provider that coordinates services at member locations throughout the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area. Services are available at Cancer Care Northwest sites at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls, and at four Cancer Care Northwest clinics throughout the area. The radiation oncology program has a team of experts that includes eight radiation oncologists plus radiation therapists, nurses, medical physicists, dosimetrists and support staff. Altogether, more than 65 individuals have come together from the three member organizations to deliver comprehensive, coordinated radiation oncology services in convenient, close-to-home settings that improve patient access and experience. “One of the many advantages for radiation oncology patients is the cumulative expertise and resources accessible at any of the eight treatment locations that are part of this alliance,” says Warren Benincosa, chief executive of Cancer Care Northwest and managing member of Inner Pacific Alliance for Cancer Care. “Whether a patient is receiving care at one of our member hospitals or at one of Cancer Care Northwest’s four clinics, they know they are receiving the best possible care from providers who customize their treatment plan using evidencebased clinical protocols.” As the program grows, InnerPacific Alliance for Cancer Care will use the collaborative model to develop additional cancer programs that will enhance accessibility to high quality, specialized care throughout the region. “Residents of our region should have access to excellent cancer care, with appropriate options, innovative thinking, the best technology, and caring support, without having to leave the area,” says Jon Ness, chief executive of Kootenai Health. “We created the alliance to do just that. Patients now have a team of physicians collaborating on their care, greater access to technology and care that is coordinated,” says Ness.
spokanecda.com • March • 2015
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