|
Location |
407 East Vernon Avenue
Normal, Illinois 61761
|
Phone |
(309) 451-8500
|
Website |
http://cancercenter.org/cancer-center-home.html
The Community Cancer Center is an independent cancer treatment facility in Normal, Illinois. It is the only cancer treatment center in Bloomington-Normal. The center brings in patients from both St. Joseph Medical Center, Advocate Bromenn Medical Center (hyper-link to this wiki as well) as well as many local private doctor's offices. The center specializes in Radiation Oncology as well Medical Oncology, Sterotactic Radiosurgery, and Comprehensive Breast Cancer Services. The center is governed by a group of Board Members who are elected and serve from July to June of the next year. The center is located at 407 East Vernon Avenue in Normal located across from First Assembly of God (hyper-link to this wiki).
History
The Community Cancer Center was founded in the late 1990's. BroMenn Healthcare and OSF Healthcare joined to create and support a comprehensive cancer center. The Community Cancer Center opened in 1999 and was founded by a dontion of 6.5 million dollars given graciously by the surrounding community. It is one of the few places that patients can get the care of multiple physician specialities, lastest drug therapies, radiation treatment, and research protocols with a full array of support services.
In October of 2014 the Community Cancer center has broke ground with their building project and will be starting to expand the center to fit it's growing needs.
Staff
More than 100 volunteers help to provide service to the cancer center, many being cancer surviors of their own and help to relate themselves to situations they are seeing on a daily basis. The Community Cancer Center offers to all of its patients and their family members the services of on-site social workers, dietitians, oncology nurses, and chaplains. However none of this could be accomplished without the help of those dedicated doctors that serve us here in Central Illinois. The Community Cancer Center is lucky to have some of the best oncologists in the nation. Those include;
- Hwan Gon Jeong, MD
- Pramern Sriratana, MD
- John Migas, MD
- Bhanu Vakkalanka, MD, MRCP, FRCR
- Shermian A. Woodhouse, MD, MPH
- Patrick Fernandes, MD
Dr. Jeong specializes in Hematology/Oncology and attended school at Kyungpook National University in Taegu, Korea. After graduating he completed his residency at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center in Youngstown, Ohio specializing in Internal Medicine. Dr. Jeong is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (1987), American Board of Medical Oncology (1989), and the American Board of Hematology (1992).
Dr. Sriratana specializes in Hematolgy/Oncology and attended school at Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand. With Internal Medicine being his main focus he completed his residency at St. Francis Hopsital in Evanston, Illinois in 1976. Dr. Sriratana also completed his fellowship at St. Francis Hopsital in Evanston. As a seasoned oncologist he is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (1976), American Board of Hematology (1978), American Board of Oncology (1979), and the American Board of Hospice Palliative Medicine in 1996.
Dr. John Migas specialized is Internal Medicine and Oncology. Dr. Migas received his education from Rush Presbyterian Saint Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois and the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. His residency was completed at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a fellowiship in Oncology at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Migas is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (1996) and the American Board of Oncology (1997).
Dr. Vakkalanka sepcializes in Hematology/Oncology and obtained his education at Rangaraya Medical College in Kakinada, India, graduating in 1992. His intership transpired at Government General Hospital in Kakinada, India from 1992-1993. Dr. Vakkalanka's residency was completed at North Manchester General Hospital in Manchester, UK and the Metro Health Medical Center (Case Western Reserve University) in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Vakkalanka performed his fellowship in Clinical Oncology at the University of Birmingham Hospitals in Birmingham, UK from 2000-2005 and a fellowship in Medical Oncology at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa from 2008-2010. He conducted research at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation specializing in Genitourinary Oncology. He is board certified by the Education Council for Foreign Meidical Graduates (2005), American Board of Internal Medicine (2008), and the American Board of Medical Oncology (2011).
Dr. Woodhouse is the Medical Directory at the Community Cancer Center along with the Chieft Radiation Oncologist. She specialized in Radiation Oncology and obtained her education from Howard University, Washington, DC, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, and Health Policy & Management, Joseph Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, Washington, DC. Dr. Woodhouse performed her residency for Radiation Oncology at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York from 1994-1998 and performed her Chief Resident -Radiation Oncology residency at Columbia as well from 1997-1998. Dr. Woodhouse is board certified by the American Board of Radiology (1998,2008) and the National Board of Meidical Examiners (1993).
Specializing in radiation oncology, Dr. Fernandes obtained his education from Bangalore University in 1981 in India. It was at Bangalore University where he also served his internship. Traveling the world he performed his residency in places such at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, Ireland, United Kingdom, and India studying radiation oncology, clinical oncology, and radiotherapy. Dr. Fernandes has a professional membership with the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
Other people you may be able to see at the Community Cancer Center include: Nurse Practitioners, Breast Health Navigators, Clinical Research Coordinators, Physicists, and Genetic Counselors.
Patient Care & Services
The Community Cancer Center is not only cares about treating the ailments of its patients but they are also commited to the resulting stress and psychological issues that may arise from such an ailment
Nutrition
With a diagnosis of cancer, patients diets may change. The on-site dietician with a certification in oncology nutrition is available for consultation to help create a meal plan specific for the patient so that they can begin the road to recovery. The center also has a free monthy education program for cancer centers that covers topics from nutrition, to excersice, to wellness.
Oncology Social Work
With a diagnosis of cancer, there is period of adjustment and increase in stress for both the patient and the patinet's familiy. The oncology social workers provide the consueling that the patients need to deal with stress and the come to terms with their illness. These social workers are also trianed to help you seek support groups, financial assistance, a psychologist, or a physical therapist.
Breast Health Navigator
The job of the Breast Health Navigator is to provide education and emotional consulation for women who have benign breast disease. They are there to answer any questions that may arise from these diseases.
Spiritual Suport
Getting diagnosed with cancer is a tough time and many patients rely on their spiritual beliefs and religions to help them cope. A chaplain at this facility is on job to offer support, to pray with, and even to counsel patients and their loved ones. In October of 2013 the Community Cancer Center created a "Wall of Hope." This wall is a place to create a picture that spreads a message of hope. Anyone can contribute to the wall and no prior art skills are necessary.
Support Groups
Tough times are made easier with the help of family and friends. At the cancer center there are many different support groups for anyone to get involved in. You don't even have to be a patient of the facility to attend. These support groups are free and meet at the cancer center, although some may require registration prior. Groups include:
Groups for Children & Teens
Groups for Cancer Types
Groups for Caregivers
Groups for Loss, Grief, and Bereavement
Spiritual Pathways
