Patients First Health Care Signs Agreement with SSM Cancer Care

WASHINGTON, Mo., Oct. 28, 2011 - Patients First Health Care signs agreement with SSM Cancer Care to provide local medical oncology/hematology and radiation oncology at the site of Patients First Cancer Center in Washington.  As of November 14, 2011 Patients First Cancer Center will operate as SSM Cancer Care.

“This should be welcome news for our patients who deserve quality cancer care and the stability of their physician oncologists,” said Dr. Michael Van Tuyl, radiation oncologist. “SSM Cancer Care is committed to providing local cancer diagnosis and treatment to the patients and families of this community.  My staff and I will be working side-by-side with SSM Cancer Care to ensure that patients receive the continuity of care and compassion they have come to expect from the cancer center.”

For the past six months, SSM Cancer Care has provided highly-qualified medical oncologists/hematologists to Patients First Cancer Center.  As part of the announcement today, Dr. Michael Van Tuyl; Sandra Nicks, RN, ACNP-BC; Kim Davis; and Patients First Cancer Center employees will be staying with the center and supported by established and well-trained medical oncologists/hematologists, including Dr. Lisa J. Simmons.

“We are excited to continue the tradition of quality, local cancer care in Washington,” said Gaspare Calvaruso, service line executive of SSM Cancer Care. “The cancer center physicians and nurse practitioners continue to have access to patients’ medical records and provide office appointments and treatments, including radiation and infusion therapies, in the same location with the same staff that patients and their families know and trust.”

Patients will receive a letter in the mail outlining this information in greater detail.  Patients can call the office at the same phone number in Washington (636) 390-1600 with any questions.

“We appreciate the trust our patients and their families continue to place in Patients First Health Care. We are confident this new partnership with SSM Cancer Care enhances the quality and stability of patients’ cancer care and keeps it local for the community,” said Joseph Gubbels, chief executive officer of Patients First Health Care.