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Terri L. McLain, hospital president, welcomed the crowd at the program and gave an overview of services to be offered at the new facility, which will be constructed next to the front entrance at the Mercy Doctors Building. Other speakers were Virginia Frank, a vice president from St. John's Mercy Medical Center, who represented Denny DeNarvaez, president/CEO of St. John's Mercy Health Care and senior vice president of Regional Markets of Sisters of Mercy Health System; Bill Miller, Sr., chairman of the hospital's advisory board; and Washington Mayor Dick Stratman.
McLain announced that the infusion therapy department in the new facility will be named after Lee Dardick, who served on the hospital advisory board (and for a period governing board) for more than 40 years. He also has been a financial contributor to the hospital. He retired from the board about a year ago.
"Each year, St. John's Mercy Hospital provides thousands of cancer patients with advance imaging services and expert care from experienced radiology, oncology and hematology physicians. The opening of the new cancer center will enhance the level of care with the addition of radiation and infusion therapy services as well as access to clinical trials," McLain explained.
Connie Stelzer, R.N., BSN, manager of outpatient disease management, will direct the cancer center staff. "St. John's Mercy and the communities we serve are highly supportive of the expansion of our cancer services," said Stelzer. "We are committed to delivering quality care that best meets the needs of our patients."
Infusion Therapy
The cancer center will feature a new centralized infusion therapy center. Infusion therapy means introducing fluids or medications directly into the bloodstream, either by injection or through a needle or catheter inserted into a vein. Infusion therapy can be used for transfusions of blood cells, platelets and other blood products, as well as administration of intravenous medications, such as antibiotic therapies. Chemotherapy will continue to be offered to patients in the hospital.
Advanced technologies at the cancer center will include a linear accelerator, which delivers a uniform dose of high-energy X-ray through a beam that can be adjusted to the size of the patient's tumor. The X-rays can treat cancer cells in the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
St. John's Mercy Hospital has a long history of collaboration with the David C. Pratt Cancer Center, which is located on the campus of St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. The St. Louis cancer center offers some of the area's most advanced diagnostic and treatment services, including the latest targeted therapies.
St. John's Mercy Hospital physicians work closely with specialists at the Pratt center. "St. John's Mercy Hospital has seven oncologists on staff, and our oncologists are also on staff at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. As a result, physicians are aware of the services both facilities offer," Posinski said.
He noted that once a month oncologists from the St. Louis center meet with hospital staff in Washington to discuss patient cases, research studies and clinical trials. "They learn best practices from each other and tailor treatments for each patient based on these best practices. It may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery or any combination of those treatments," he said.
Share Access
The two centers will share access to the same innovative treatments and technologies, such as:
Stereotactic radiosurgery, an advanced treatment for tumors that delivers precise high-dose radiation.
The TomoTherapy Hi-Art System®, which delivers targeted radiation therapy while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
The daVinci® Surgical System, a minimally invasive surgical technology.
High-dose-rate brachytherapy, including MammoSite® treatment - advanced radiation therapies that are less invasive and offer reduced treatment times.
"Patients can rest assured that they are receiving the best medical care, but the difference is that they will receive that care much closer to home," Posinski said.
