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November 10, 2009
Marquette General, Dickinson County Healthcare System renew commitment to provision of radiation services in Dickinson County
The Marquette General Cancer Center and Dickinson County Healthcare System have recently renewed their commitment to the provision of radiation therapy services to the people of the Dickinson County area. The collaborative agreement for the provision of radiation therapy services at Dickinson Memorial Hospital, which has recently been renewed, has been in effect since the inception of the program in 2000. The two healthcare systems joined efforts to construct a radiation therapy addition onto Dickinson Memorial Hospital to bring quality cancer care to people in the south central Upper Peninsula. Since that time, more than 1,300 patients have been treated.
“The Radiation Therapy Program we provide here at Dickinson Memorial Hospital is a prime example of the positive results for patients when hospitals collaborate to provide services that neither one could afford to provide independently,” explained John Schon, administrator/CEO of DCHS. “This type of collaboration is essential for UP hospitals in order for healthcare to remain affordable for our patients and conveniently accessible in the UP.”
The cancer care team at Dickinson Memorial is comprised of physicians on the medical staff of both Dickinson Memorial and Marquette General. Led by a board certified radiation oncologist, physicians in the medical specialties of family practice / internal medicine, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology and surgery work together to provide high quality cancer care. Patients have access to a variety of therapies and benefit from the results of clinical trials that influence leading edge cancer care protocols.
“Were proud to collaborate with DCHS to help to bring cancer care accredited by the American College of Surgeons to patients in the Dickinson County area,” said A. Gary Muller, FACHE, MGHS president and CEO. “This joint venture means patients will have access to all modalities of care, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. DCHS is a close partner with MGHS. We will continue to support their physicians to deliver quality care close to the patient's medical home.”
Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-ray beams to target and destroy cancer cells in a confined and local area while sparing the healthy tissue surrounding the cancer. Treatments available at Dickinson Memorial Hospital through this collaborative effort with MGH include external beam therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and brachytherapy that involves the implantation of radioactive seeds for the treatment of prostate cancer.
In addition to radiation therapy, MGHS and DCHS have worked collaboratively on services such as telehealth and the services provided by the UP Regional Blood Center. These affiliations have strengthened the teams of both institutions by sharing knowledge and resources and have reinforced their ability to continue to provide quality, comprehensive healthcare services to their patients.
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