HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 02-26 Minnesota Oncology 'Caring, down to a science' PROGRESS�/fir►r�Phcnt&a
`Caring, down to, a science'.
"Cancer is a very frightening,:A
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diagnosis and I couldn't imag-
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ine facing it without Minnesota
offer a full circle of care and
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Oncology on my: cafe team,.
integrative medicine services,a�
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says T. Harold, a 57 -year-old
includingcutting-edge cancer
cancer survivor from Lake
treatments, clinical research tri_
9 �'U
Elmo.
Diagnosed with non-Hodgkin
als, genetic counseling, oncol-r
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lymphoma in 2007, he says the
o gY surgery, nutrition therapy,
and help evaluate psychologi-'
experienced oncologists and
pain management, patient°
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support staff led the way on�
navigators, and licensed social
�. °"
my successful treatment and
workers and patient advocates.r:
need to go to a big.healthcare
'Clinic
„
The expert physicians .and
She notes the Maplewood
recovery.
When his illness was first
nurses customize treatment
-�
identified, he remembers feel--
plans for. each patient's specific
Maplewood Cancer Center oncologist Bronagh Murphy, M.D., discusses treat -
needs and illness. They also
ing as if his life had been turned
participate in cancer research ment with a patient
completely upside down.
and attend conferences with
He credits' the caregivers at
other professionals to deter-
x
Minnesota Oncology for helpintreat-
mine latest and best treat-
w
him with not onlyhis physical
him
.the
ments of newly diagnosed
s
needs but his emotional ones as
patients with cancer.
patients feel ill after a chemo-
well.
"They took the time to
Complete,
address all my fears and con-
cerns, and gave me a sense of
coordinated care
hopefulness," -he recalls.
The entire clinic staff aims
Michelle- Quast, director of
to treat the whole patient, and
operations,. says the oncologists, .. -
not just the illness, emphasizes .
nurses and.:the non -clinical,_`- _.
Patty.T'hompson; manager:. of
staff strive every day to create
the Maplewood clinic.
a welcoming atmosphere and
"The social workers partner
help patients- and their familieswith
the patients and families,
through a difficult time.
and help evaluate psychologi-'
As she walks down the hall-
cal and social needs. They help
ways of the comfortable, spa-
patients find resources - every-
cious Fridley clinic, Quast says,
thing from finding jobs _to help
"Oftentimes, people feel they
with paying bills and securing
need to go to a big.healthcare
'Clinic
child care," Thompson says.
institution, such as Mayo
She notes the Maplewood
or the University .of Minnesota,
Clinic offers- complete, coor-
when they've been diagnosed
dinated care with the medical
with cancer or a blood disorder.oncologists,
radiat"ion oncolo-
They may not realize. their local
gists, hematologists, on-site
community has great Minnesota
pharmacists and support
Oncology clinics just minutes
staff all working together in
from their homes."
the same building. "Fox the
Having an oncology facil-
patients who need a full spec-
ity, just a short drive away can
trum of oncology medical treat -
be especially important when
ment, they can get it here."
patients feel ill after a chemo-
The Maplewood and Fridley
therapy treatment. The roads to
clinics offer support groups
the clinic are familiar, the traffic
for cancer patients, and refer
is lighter and the parking lots
patients and their families to
have ample space. And when
appropriate programs and
patients need rides from fam-
resources in their communities.
ily members or neighbors, they
"As one is faced with all
don't feel like they are burden-
the emotions and questions
ing others when they go to a
involved in a diagnosis of
nearby clinic•
cancer, the staff at Minnesota
" Convenience is just one of
Oncology cares on a personal
the benefits when choosing one
level," _says T. Harold. "It was a
of the 10 Minnesota Oncology
balanced concern for. my mental
clinics located across the Twin
well being and my physical out
Cities metro area. Quast points
comes."
out that the Fridley clinic,
which is located near Unity
Hospital, received the top score
in the metro area for patient sat-
isfaction in a recent Minnesota
Community Measures survey..
14'
Chemotherapy nurse Beth Berg comforts a patient during treatment.
Genetic counselor Anna Leininger, M.S., meets with a patient to discuss testing
options.
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a neighbor w o cares,
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Your choice for cancer care is closer than you think.
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