Cancer center continues Mercy mission

By Mary Quass

-----

The official opening of Mercy's Hall-Perrine Cancer Center on July 19 was an exclamation point to Mercy's legacy as the leader in cancer care in our community.

Well-known business leader and philanthropist Howard Hall recognized Mercy's commitment to cancer care as far back as 1956 when he helped bring the first cobalt radiation technology to Hall Radiation Center. Today, as a member of the Mercy Medical Center board of trustees since 1991, I have witnessed Mercy's continued commitment to ensuring Cedar Rapids and its outlying areas have the best cancer care close to home.

In 1998, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose Mercy as my champion for beating cancer. That care was outstanding - but I had to visit various departments and buildings to receive the care I needed. True, the staff at Mercy maintained a constant level of care by being with me through the whole process. Today, that care would be coordinated and provided in one location with the reassuring guidance and presence of a nurse navigator by my side.

Coordinated care for the cancer patient with direct access to an integrated care team and a unified care plan is all about what is best for the patient. With the area's only radiation center integrated right into the cancer center and the hospital's inpatient services just a few steps away, it is truly the best care - all under one roof.

The personal touch provided by Mercy in 1998 gave me empowerment, courage and confidence in controlling my outcome. That's why I am a passionate advocate for the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. Along with many others with similar stories, I became integrally involved from Day One. As a cancer survivor, I was asked for my input as Mercy began planning the center. After talking with medical experts and leaders from other premier cancer care institutions, they built this pre-eminent facility, which further enhances our community's already established reputation for high-quality, low-cost care.

As a Cedar Rapids business person, I also understand the economic benefits the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center will bring to our community. It provides a solid anchor to the development of a strong medical district in the establishment of the MedQuarter, an economic engine for revitalization of our city. Cedar Rapids will strengthen its statewide and even national branding and reputation for high-quality, high-value health care, which will draw consumers to our area.

As an example, Cedar Rapids now has the nation's only IV chemotherapy robot - which eliminates the potential for human error in the delivery of highly sensitive and expensive chemotherapy drugs - because Mercy invested in the best possible care in the world right here in our city. That's something to be proud of.

And, I'm not surprised in the least that it's happening at Mercy's Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. As the first facility west of the Mississippi River to offer cobalt radiation, Mercy's new center is simply a continuation of the vision of Hall and the insightful, compassionate mission of the hospital's founders, the Sisters of Mercy.

Mary Quass, president and CEO of NRG Media, LLC, Cedar Rapids, is a member of Mercy Medical Center's board of trustees. Comments: mquass@

nrgmedia.com