Bartlett Regional | HouseCalls | Late Fall 2016

www.bartletthospital.org 7 Oncology building (see page 8) where cancer patients referred for radiation treatment see Eugene Huang, MD. “Juneau is very lucky to have attracted someone of his caliber,” Dr. Weiden says. The bonus for the community is that more patients can stay in Juneau for their initial care. One-stop cancer care “We are very excited about this opportunity to provide medical oncology services in the same location as radiation oncology, creating a one-stop cancer center for Juneau,” says Bartlett Regional Hospital Chief Executive Officer Chuck Bill. Bartlett medical oncology physicians also benefit from the collaboration. “We do a better job of delivering effective cancer care from the same office. We can see patients at the same time and look at their x-rays together,” Dr. Weiden says. “And there’s coffee and tea for patients in both radiation and oncology,” he adds with a smile. The center has the atmosphere of an airy living room, with a variety of hot drinks to be enjoyed while looking either out large windows framing mountainous Douglas Island or at illustrated nature scenes on the walls. “We obviously would rather cure cancer, but often you can’t cure it. So the goal is to turn it into a chronic disease like, let’s say, arthritis,” Dr. Weiden says. “In other words, a disease that flares up from time to time and needs treatment, but most of the time isn’t bothering you or shortening your life.” Dr. Weiden is positive on the prognosis for patients like Pilcher: “I would say we’re doing a better job of turning more cancers into chronic diseases compared to 20 or 30 years ago.” Pilcher looks forward to tending her garden tour-winning yard at her Auke Bay home next summer. And to getting back out on the golf course. For more information Bartlett Medical Oncology Center is committed to accommodating patient referrals to our oncologists. Communication between the patient’s primary provider, including sharing of medical records, occurs prior to scheduling patient visits. Our office will contact the patient to arrange an acceptable time. Patients may also contact our office directly at 907-796-8720 . Seattle oncologist Paul Weiden, MD, has been seeing cancer patients in Juneau for more than 15 years. Patient Leanne Pilcher and nurse Angela Babcock share a chuckle over a blood pressure check.