Cuyuna Regional Medical Center and Riverwood Healthcare Center announce partnership with Cancer Center

Riverwood Healthcare Center and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center recently announced plans to provide cancer care services in affiliation with the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute.

The institute is the comprehensive cancer care program of Allina Hospitals & Clinics based in Minneapolis and is strategically aligned with Minnesota Oncology for the coordinated, regional delivery of oncology services, Riverwood reported in a news release.

"We're excited to offer people in this region enhanced, state-of-the-art cancer services in our local communities," Mike Delfs, Riverwood chief operating officer, said. "This is one of our first steps toward becoming a fully accredited cancer program."

Tom Reek, CRMC chief executive officer, said working with Riverwood and VPCI will allow CRMC to expand oncology services "as well as increasing access close to home for our patients."

The Virginia Piper Cancer Institute combines modern technology, multi-specialty treatment planning conferences and care coordinated by nurse clinicians.

"We look forward to bringing VPCI's specialized services to the Riverwood and CRMC communities," said Roy Johnson, vice president of Virginia Piper Cancer Institute Clinical Service Line Operations.

Dr. Ron Halvorson of Minnesota Oncology will be the new oncologist. Halvorson, who lives in the area, will be seeing patients weekly at both Riverwood and CRMC. He is part of a team of 51 oncologists, offering access to comprehensive expertise for a wide range of oncology care and treatment. Working together with Halvorson, nurse navigators at both Riverwood and CRMC will provide support and care coordination to patients.

As part of the expansion in cancer care services, Riverwood and CRMC are also developing a comprehensive breast center. They are partnering to add stereotactic breast biopsy, a non-surgical method of assessing a breast abnormality, and breast MRI. With the addition of these components, patients will have convenient access to advanced diagnostic breast imaging services.

 

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