Cancer patients in the center of Nebraska have historically had to travel long distances for access to specialized cancer care. Those trips can be especially hard not only on patients but on family members as well.
Patients in the Tri-Cities area, which includes Kearney, Hastings and Grand Island, will now have access to the Nebraska Medicine cancer care closer to home. Heartland Hematology and Oncology in Kearney will join the Nebraska Medicine Health Network on Thursday, Dec. 16.
Led by Cynthia Lewis, MD, and Nick Hartl, MD, Heartland Hematology and Oncology is known as a place of hope, healing and comfort. That will not change. The team will continue to provide the best care possible for patients and families in a comfortable, convenient atmosphere.
Now, the clinic also will have support from the entire Nebraska Medicine Health Network, including its team of disease-specific cancer specialists. Patients will have access to peer-reviewed tumor boards, opportunities for virtual care and connections to the most advanced treatments available.
The new facility will be called Nebraska Medicine Heartland Hematology and Oncology, and signs reflecting the change will be going up in the coming weeks.
"We wanted a way to provide specialized cancer care to our patients in central Nebraska without having to send them three hours to Omaha. We believe our patients do best when they receive care close to home, family and friends," said Dr. Lewis, hematologist/oncologist with the Kearney facility. "This partnership with Nebraska Medicine does that and more — allowing them to stay nearby, but also giving them access to the experts and resources of the only NCI-designated cancer center in the state at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center."
"We’re so happy to bring ‘Serious Medicine and Extraordinary Care’ to patients who in many cases would have to endure the rigors of a long car ride," said Julie Vose, MD, hematologist and medical oncologist, chief of the UNMC Division of Hematology/Oncology. "These same patients can now receive the same level of high-quality care from their familiar providers while being supported by a team of dedicated disease-specific cancer specialists from the state’s largest academic medical center. This means they have access to peer-reviewed tumor boards, virtual care options and comprehensive treatment all close to home."
Nebraska Medicine Heartland Hematology and Oncology will be the westernmost member of the Nebraska Medicine Health Network. A primary care clinic, Grand Island Health Center, is also located in the area.
After Epic is implemented in the clinic next year, Heartland Hematology and Oncology patients will have online access to their medical records through One Chart.
Current staff members are being enrolled as Nebraska Medicine employees.
"We plan to provide our new colleagues in Kearney with everything they need to make this a seamless transition," Nebraska Medicine CEO Jim Linder, MD, said. "We understand the trust they are putting in us by allowing us to become a part of their community and will do everything possible to make sure this new relationship is beneficial for both the staff there and their patients."
Nice!
Dr Lewis & Dr Hartl have been great to work with us at UNMC. Thus will be a boost to both teams.
E Silva, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO