Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin have formed a regional cancer network in order to offer specialist care in community hospital settings. Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls and St. Joseph's Hospital in West Bend are the first hospitals to join the network.
"The Network was formed in response to the very significant growth in demand for cancer services at the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center," said Sue Derus, executive director of Cancer Services at Froedtert and Community Health. "This focused a need for the sub-specialty expertise of Froedtert & Medical College physicians to complement cancer services in the community."
Through the network, medical oncologists, and specialists in urologic oncology, gynecologic oncology and neuro-oncology will be available in both communities. The network will also provide plastic and reconstructive surgery opportunities in the West Bend Community.
"Driven by the best practices of an academic medical center, our physicians constantly investigate new methods of treating cancer," said Dr. J. Frank Wilson, chair and the Bernard & Miriam Peck Family professor in Radiation Oncology at the Medical College. "Research translates to better treatments and improved outcomes, and it means patients within the Cancer Network can rely on a consistently high standard of evidence-based cancer care that meets or exceeds national guidelines."
Wilson will oversee radiation oncology for the Cancer Network.
Care through the Cancer Network is provided in the community hospital setting whenever possible, and cancer specialists will work with community physicians to develop treatment plans.
Electronic medical records allows Cancer Network providers the ability to retrieve patient information quickly and easily.
In addition to specialty care in their own community, cancer patients also will have streamlined access to clinical trials, second opinions and an array of supportive services, including cancer genetic screening and counseling, cancer rehabilitation, nutrition counseling, social services and educational programs.
Patients can make an appointment at any Cancer Network site by calling a single phone number: 866-680-0505.
