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July 14, 2010 After an extensive recruitment search, Kennewick General Hospital has announced that Joan Stewart has been appointed Oncology Practice Manager. Stewart comes to KGH with more than 15 years of experience in oncology services. After working in Spokane and Yakima as a radiation therapist, she has spent the past 10 years as Manager of Radiation Oncology Services for Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Stewart brings not only her experience, but also an approach which should prove highly effective in her support of cancer patients from the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas. While at Yakima Valley, she was part of a cohesive cancer care service committee whose work was acknowledged by the American College of Surgeons. “Our approach took a 360-degree perspective in our assessment of the patient,” Stewart says. “We considered all aspects of a patient’s condition, including diet, environment, psychology and genetic predisposition, assessing all elements of nature and nurture in terms of treating the disease. This wasn’t a single-minded approach of simply treating the tumor and hoping for the best. We were also very involved in the process of re-integrating the patient back into a normal lifestyle once we had them in remission.” The new oncology program at KGH will also benefit from Stewart’s emphasis in ongoing education for her staff. “We are always looking for new ways to add weapons to our tool chest in our efforts to fight cancer,” she says. “Research progress occurs on many levels, from tumor suppression genetics to smart delivery systems, and it’s important that our staff and caregivers have the educational opportunities that make them aware of what’s on the horizon.” Stewart is coming in on the ground floor for oncology services at KGH, and is planning to make the facility a standout for both the Tri-Cities area and outlying regions in Washington and Oregon. “We are putting into practice what I call a ‘Concierge Service’ for patients here,” she says. “That means we will go to almost any length to take care of their needs, and that includes lots of nurturing and support. I would expect that in the next six months we will outgrow our current space as the regional population becomes aware of the level of service we will be offering.” As the procedures for patient care become increasingly sophisticated, Joan Stewart hopes to bring them all to bear on the disease that continues to plague so many. “We will employ a comprehensive, multi-discipline approach, and a committee is already formed at KGH to cover those bases,” Stewart says. “We are dedicated to making ongoing efforts to assess, readdress and redirect our services to the needs of the community from a team perspective.” To schedule a consultation, or for more information about oncology services at KGH, call 585-2449. |
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| 900 S. Auburn Street, Kennewick, Washington 99336 (509) 586-6111 http://www.kennewickgeneral.com | |||||||||