Exciting Additions at the San Juan Cancer Center
The San Juan Cancer Center, a department of Montrose Regional Health, opened its doors on April 3, 2006, and provides state of the art cancer care closer to home for residents of southwestern Colorado. The facility is an unqualified success, exceeding projections for the number of patients seen to date and surpassing the expectations of those who enter its doors for treatment. Cancer patients and their families have access to the best of both worlds: small town warmth and big city expertise. Personalized care in a friendly, caring atmosphere is coupled with an outstanding, dedicated and experienced staff and amazing technology.
A full range of treatment options is offered including consultation and examination, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, cancer counseling and coordination of care. The linear accelerator for radiation treatments was recently updated and features the newest, most modern cancer care equipment in Western Colorado. The facility is attractive and peaceful, the atmosphere upbeat and cheerful. Help is available on everything from looking and feeling better while undergoing treatment to dealing with non-medical aspects of cancer like coping with work and financial issues.
Dr. Steven Emmons and Dr. Michael Bergen are the Medical Oncologists and Dr. Kyle Oldroyd is the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology. Dr. Virginia Tjan will join the SJCC medical oncology care team this month. She most recently practiced in Pagosa Springs and in Grand Junction prior to that. All the physicians are board certified and have a special area of focus. They are supported by a remarkable staff of nurses, radiation therapists, physicists, pharmacists, a dosimetrist, clerical workers, a courier, coordinator and social worker.
Everyone at SJCC feels the facility is a crown jewel for our communities and they are privileged to be part of it. Often, patients are already friends or family members of the staff. If not, they soon will be. The tenet “what would we do and how would we treat this person if he or she were a member of our own family or a close friend” influences everything done at the center, from patient safety to treatment planning and execution.
Each patient is precious to those who work at the center. Cancer treatment can take months or years and long-term relationships and close bonds are formed. The effort to make the cancer journey productive, personal and memorable is a heartfelt goal everyone strives for. It is especially meaningful for employees when they encounter patients away from the facility and are greeted with a smile and a hug, because to that patient, they truly are friends and family.
Leann Tobin, Senior Director of Community Engagement, MRH 240-7344