PCH Cancer Center working hard to meet needs of patients

Putnam County Hospital offers a peaceful setting for patients who are undergoing cancer treatments. Cancer Center Manager Rhonda McCammack explained PCH stresses educational to help detect breast cancer early.

"The PCH Cancer Center strives to educate the community on ways to find cancers in the earliest stages when it can be more easily treated and on ways to prevent cancers. Some of the methods we use to accomplish this are the setting up an educational display in the PCH lobby with a poster board display and pamphlets for visitors and staff. We have also used this type of display at the First Friday event on the Square and at local volleyball games. We have sent emails to the over 300 employees at PCH with specific breast cancer education. We have also gone to a local high school and given education on self-breast exams," McCammack explained.

The Cancer Center has seven infusion bays adjacent to the nursing stations and three private examination rooms. PCH oncological professionals provide a comprehensive plan with holistic care which meets the medical, spiritual and emotional needs of clients. The most up-to-date treatment is delivered from physicians and medical professionals who know and care about patients and their families.

"The PCH Cancer Center sees many Breast Cancer patients and uses the most current treatments recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). The NCCN is an organization created by cancer doctors and surgeons to help determine the best ways to treat cancer through evidence-based clinical trials and treatments," McCammack added.

Dr. Frank Workman, a physician with IU Health, is a Medical Oncologist/Hematologist who treats patients battling cancer or blood disorders. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Hematology. He sees patients at the Cancer Center facility on Mondays and Thursdays.

Dr. Jaime J. Ayon, a physician with Franciscan Physician Network-Oncology and Hematology Specialists, joined Dr. Workman in the Cancer Center in 2014. Dr. Ayon completed his residency in Internal Medicine and fellowship in Medical Oncology/Hematology at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York. He sees patients at the Cancer Center on Wednesdays.

The Cancer Center is also staffed by five registered nurses. All of the center's nursing staff have been oncology trained by Community Cancer Care or Indiana University staff. Continued education concerning cancer, the most up-to-date treatments and symptom management is important to the PCH Cancer Center. Registered nurses are oncology-certified through the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), a national organization.

Active membership in the local Illiana Chapter of ONS allows the nursing staff to attend monthly meetings to discuss new and current treatments.

The Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation is renewed every three years by adhering to stringent guidelines that ensure clients receive the best care possible. The Cancer Center's first review was conducted in 1988 and the Cancer Center has remained accredited with the last survey conducted in 2013.

In compliance with the accreditation process and to continue growth, the hospital physicians, surgeons, radiologists and oncology staff meet regularly for professional development and discussion regarding trends for our particular area.

McCammack noted a partnership with the American Cancer Society has been beneficial to the community.

"The ACS has been an asset to our program by supplying much of the educational information used for patients and with our community events. Casey Hendrixson RN, PCH Cancer Center Outreach Coordinator and Becky Hutcheson, PCH Cancer Center office manager, have partnered in promoting breast cancer awareness on behalf of our center," McCammack said.

This year, the Putnam County Hospital Cancer Center is celebrating 30 years of providing cancer care to the local residents so they don't have to travel long distances for the most up-to-date cancer treatment.