Wayne Magazine May 2016 | Page 23

A Network You CAN trust Atlantic Health system’s Cancer services provide experienced doctors and medical professionals, state-of-the-art technology, promising medical treatments, the newest clinical innovations and compassionate support services, all available to anyone who enters our trusted Network of Caring. Renea Cross forged a special bond with nurses Michelle Joseph and Sandy Leo during her chemotherapy treatments at Chilton Cancer Center. Few people have experienced Atlantic Health System’s Trusted Network of Caring better than Renea Cross. After a consultation with Michael Kane, MD, Atlantic Health System’s Medical Director of Community Oncology, the Hamburg resident was referred to Daniel Tobias, MD, at Overlook Medical Center in September, had cancer surgery at Morristown Medical Center two weeks later and received chemotherapy at Chilton Medical Center. TM John EmErson R ounding out the network, Cross received supportive medication at Newton Medical Center infusion suites, closer to her home. In mid-February, Cross had the last dose of chemo for her primary peritoneal carcinoma at Chilton. “Renea’s case perfectly demonstrates the Trusted Network of Caring that we have been building at Atlantic Health System,” says Lydia Nadeau, director of the system’s oncology service line. “When you start your journey of cancer treatment at Chilton Medical Center or any Atlantic Health system hospital, you have access to the full power of Atlantic Health System’s oncology services,” she explains. When Cross got her diagnosis, she was preparing for her son’s wedding. Besides the daunting news about her health, she feared Top Specialists Our patients are supported by a multidisciplinary team of more than 75 board-certified physicians, many of whom are recognized regionally and nationally as experts in their fields, and by an army of experienced and compassionate professionals all coming together to provide unparalleled care and support to our patients and their families for all types of cancer, including: ■ Blood cancers ■ Breast cancer ■ Colorectal cancer ■ Esophageal cancer ■ Head and neck cancers ■ Liver cancer ■ Lung cancer ■ Melanoma/skin cancer ■ Neurological cancers, such as brain and spine ■ Pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal cancers ■ Prostate and other urological cancers ■ Women’s cancers, such as ovarian and cervical cancers Access to the Latest Advancements Services include immunotherapy, genetic testing and clinical trials from cooperative and pharmaceutical groups. Support Services Patients are offered access to a full spectrum of support services for all stages of cancer for the patient, caregivers and family, including patient navigation, social work, nutritional support, genetic counseling and integrative medicine. To learn more about Cancer Services at Atlantic Health System, visit: atlantichealth.org/cancer. not being able to be there for him. Atlantic Health System doctors assured her she would be there and tailored her care to meet the goal. True to the promise, Cross was in Hurley, N.Y., for the big day on October 17. “It’s been wonderful,” Cross says about her experience. “I can’t say enough about the people I’ve been in contact with. Everything went very, very smoothly. I feel very blessed,” she adds. Now that chemotherapy is done, Cross said she will be monitored closely by her doctors for two years. She has a great outlook on life and urged other cancer patients to approach the illness with the same optimism. “I would tell them there’s always hope and they need to have a good support group,” she notes. “I feel very confident.” ❖ Chilton Magazine SUMMER 2016