GRHS offering more for patients with blood disorders, cancer
Glencoe Regional Health Services (GRHS) has strengthened its services for patients with blood disorders and cancer by adding hematology and oncology physicians to its medical staff and opening new facilities where patients can receive chemotherapy and other infusion services.
“Fighting cancer is hard work. It’s physically and emotionally exhausting for patients,” said Jon D. Braband, president and chief executive officer of GRHS. “When medical specialists and infusion services are available close to home, patients don’t have to travel as much to get the care they need. It’s one less thing to worry about.”
GRHS’ new Infusion Services department is located on the third floor of the hospital. It serves patients who need chemotherapy for cancer or other treatments that are delivered into the bloodstream by a needle or catheter, such as blood transfusions, intravenous (IV) hydration therapy and IV antibiotics.
The department is open to any area patients who need infusion services, regardless of whether they are receiving their specialty care at GRHS or the Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota or other facility.
“Because treatment can go on for many months, most providers will encourage their patients to get their chemotherapy or other infusion services as close to home as possible, which means less time away from work and family,” said Kristine Knudten, medical doctor, vice president of medical affairs at GRHS.
The new Infusion Services department, which opened Feb. 27, was designed to enhance the comfort and privacy of patients.
“We have five treatment bays, abundant natural light from large windows, and a soothing décor that creates a quiet, calming atmosphere for receiving an infusion,” said Mandy Sturges, nurse, emergency and infusion services manager at GRHS.
GRHS’ new specialty physicians are doctors Nicole Hartung and Steven Rousey. They began seeing patients at the Glencoe Clinic in January 2017. Dr. Hartung sees patients every Thursday. Dr. Rousey sees patients two Fridays per month.
Both physicians are medical oncologists. As such, they are specialists in treating many different types of cancer in adults with chemotherapy and other medications. They oversee the patient’s care from the cancer diagnosis throughout the course of their disease. Oncologists are often the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. They explain the patient’s cancer diagnosis, discuss and recommend treatment options, provide supportive care, coordinate treatment by other specialists such as surgeons and radiation oncologists, and help the patient manage cancer-related pain and other symptoms or treatment side effects.
Dr. Rousey also is a hematologist, which means he has advanced training that enables him to diagnose and treat cancer and other disorders of the blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes, including anemia, deep vein thrombosis and other blood clots, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, and the blood cancers leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Dr. Hartung received her medical degree from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. She completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Missouri and a fellowship in medical oncology at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and medical oncology, and serves on the board of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Many of her patients have breast, colon or lung cancer.
“Oncology is an emotionally charged field,” she says. “I’ve found that patients are less afraid when they learn more about their disease and treatment options.” That drives Dr. Hartung to use discussion and visual aides to help patients understand their cancer and how it can affect all aspects of their lives.
“Science and technology have given us advanced treatment options, but providers need to apply what’s best for individual patients,” she says. “We need to balance the science with compassion, and get to know a patient’s life situation and wishes.”
When she’s not working, Dr. Hartung enjoys skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter and swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding in summer with her three young sons. She also is a devoted flower gardener and knitter.
Dr. Rousey received his medical degree from the University of Kansas in Kansas City. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine, as well as a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology, at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. Dr. Rousey is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a past president of the Minnesota Society of Clinical Oncology.
Dr. Rousey treats a broad spectrum of cancers, but has a special interest in leukemia, lymphoma and urinary tract cancers affecting the bladder, kidneys and prostate.
“Talking about cancer is pretty intimidating for the average person, so I do my best to explain medical terms as simply and clearly as possible,” he says. “Being a good listener really matters to patients, so I listen carefully and make sure patients never feel rushed at visits. I love hearing patients’ life stories. It’s the best part of my job.”
Dr. Rousey is married to his high school sweetheart, Diane. They have two adult children. Away from work, Dr. Rousey enjoys spending time with his family, reading about history, and listening to and playing bluegrass music. He also is actively involved with the Foundation for Cancer Care in Tanzania, a Twin Cities-based consortium of oncology groups, including serving on the foundation’s board of directors.
Patients are typically referred to Dr. Hartung or Dr. Rousey by a primary care provider or surgeon. To schedule an appointment with either physician, patients should call GRHS at 320-864-7080 or toll free 1-888-526-4242, ext. 7080.
GRHS was founded in 1941. It includes a primary-care clinic, 25-bed critical access hospital, a 110-bed nursing home and a 40-unit independent senior housing complex in Glencoe, and outpatient clinics in Lester Prairie and Stewart. Visit grhsonline.org.
