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Local News

Spectrum Health Pennock to open new cancer center Monday

Becoming part of Spectrum Health has enabled an expansion of cancer services for the local community. In partnership with the Spectrum Health Foundation at Pennock and Spectrum Health Cancer Center, the new Spectrum Health Pennock Cancer Center will begin seeing patients on Monday, July 10.

 

The center, in the main hospital at 1009 West Green Street in Hastings, offers local access for patients to meet with their care team and receive treatment and related services in one visit, in one location, close to home. Chemotherapy will be offered on Monday and Thursday with other infusion therapy services available Monday through Friday.

 

Megan Fletcher, Spectrum Health Pennock pharmacy manager, led efforts to achieve national certification with The Joint Commission. This allows preparation of chemotherapy drugs on site and adjustment of therapy in response the patient’s most recent laboratory results. Pennock’s multidisciplinary skilled care team, including Kathleen Yost, MD, treats people with many different types of cancers and blood disorders.

 

“The Spectrum Health Pennock Cancer Center is part of a collaboration of Spectrum Health’s network of hospitals, Spectrum Health Cancer Center and community providers. The center will offer a full range of cancer services including prevention, screening and diagnosis, personalized cancer treatment, integrative therapies, access to clinical trials and leading edge technology,” said Spectrum Health Pennock President Sheryl Lewis Blake. //

 

For patients, this means access to specialists in every area of cancer care, as well as the most advanced technologies and latest treatment options to identify and fight cancer.

“Spectrum Health Pennock will provide access and treatment to the most complex types of cancers and each treatment plan is as unique as the patient who receives it. Care teams also maintain strong communications back with patients’ primary care providers,” explained Spectrum Health Pennock Chief Operating Officer Carla Wilson-Neil.

 

Wilson-Neil played an instrumental role, advocating and coordinating local cancer services in Barry County with help from Dr. Judy Smith, chief of the Department of Oncology for Spectrum Health. The center hosts a local team of four oncology certified nursing staff members, including Cindy Bigler, NP with cancer center oversight.

 

 

“Our approach to cancer care focuses on treating the whole person. We provide patients and families with quality and compassionate care from their initial visit, throughout treatment and beyond,” stated Douglas Smendik, MD, division chief, Middleville Family Practice, Spectrum Health Medical Group.

 

With one out of every two men, and one out of every three women likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society, the center comes as a welcome addition to help those in the community.

 

“Dialysis and cancer were the top two requested services for Pennock,” said Mike O’Mara, chair, Spectrum Health Foundation at Pennock. “The Pennock Foundation ran a capital campaign in 2013 for what is now the Baum Center for Health, where our patients receive local dialysis care.

“The dialysis center has provided over 25,000 treatments and continues to grow. Now, the new Spectrum Health Pennock Cancer Center is opening and it is anticipated it will provide over 4,800 patient visits per year.”

 

The Spectrum Health Foundation at Pennock has committed to fundraising $400,000 over the next three years to support the program and keep cancer services local. The foundation will also offer a complimentary oncology massage to the cancer center’s patients.

 

According to the national Massage Therapy Foundation, oncology certified massage therapy may provide relief for nausea, fatigue, pain and chemotherapy induced neuropathy, enhancing the healing process and comfort felt by patients.

 

Spectrum Health Pennock will be holding a dedication ceremony for the new Cancer Center, along with the recently renovated Healing Garden and Sanctuary, on Wednesday, July 26 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; the public is welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Sandy Reedy at sandy.reedy@spectrumhealth.org or by calling 269.948.5890.

 

 

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