The Medical Oncology Center
The Medical Oncology Center at St. Joseph Medical Center provides
a seamless continuum of patient-centered medical care under the personal supervision
of medical oncologists, who work closely with surgeons, radiation oncologists and
specialized infusion nurses.
Our medical oncologists treat the entire spectrum of cancers, including breast,
lung, colorectal, liver and prostate. They consult with patients and their families,
and work with our nurse navigators and clinical coordinator to create a treatment
plan tailored individually for each patient’s unique needs. They become a central
part of the patients’ lives.
Infusion Therapy
The Serpick Infusion Center of The Cancer Institute is located within a beautiful,
two-story glass atrium that looks onto a peaceful garden and features custom infusion
chairs designed by St. Joseph staff with patient comfort in mind. The center is
staffed by compassionate, highly-trained infusion nurses who guide patients through
therapy.
A Chemotherapy Teaching Class is offered three times a week for patients to attend
to prepare them for this treatment phase. They receive educational packets and learn
valuable information about managing side effects. They also learn that the nurses
and physicians are just a phone call away when the need arises.
Pain management is expertly handled through oral medication, and when needed, patients
are referred to pain specialists. Although patients usually come to The Medical
Oncology Center with a diagnosis, medical oncologists carefully supervise exact
staging of the cancer before designing a treatment plan.
Both inpatient and outpatient consultative services are available. The medical oncologists
stay involved with patients and remain available throughout the cancer journey.
They treat the patient, not just the diagnosis, helping provide psycho-social care
as needed. They work with the patient’s Cancer Navigator, coordinating such support
services as nutrition counseling, genetics counseling and ostomy/wound care, when
needed.
When patients no longer respond to curative treatment, medical oncologists help
patients and their families decide on and choose hospice care, or palliative care
for symptom management and bring in spiritual resources so that each patient is
as comfortable as possible.
