Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Central Michigan, Morey Cancer Center Celebrates 20 Years of Ca

Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Central Michigan, Morey Cancer Center Celebrates 20 Years of Care in Mount Pleasant

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Early in the fall of 2005, in late September, a group of local officials, various health care professionals, and well-wishers joined the leaders of Central Michigan Community Hospital to mark the opening of the Norval K. Morey Cancer Center, an accomplishment that brought an exceptional level of cancer care to Mount Pleasant, increasing the accessibility of potentially life-saving care to the community.

At the time, hospital leaders cited this expansion as offering “world-class cancer care right here in central Michigan,” benefitting patients battling cancer, allowing them an advantage in their fight while remaining close to their homes, near loved ones and their support system.

While some things have changed in those 20 years since that day — many hospital leaders and providers have retired, CMCH has become McLaren Central Michigan, and the Morey Cancer Center has joined the Karmanos Cancer Network — but the commitment of providing the patients of Mount Pleasant with first-rate cancer care remains stronger than ever, having care for thousands of patients.

“Looking back on the past 20 years, we see a cancer center that has offered healing, hope, and one that brought innovation to Mount Pleasant,” said Nancy King, Regional Director of Cancer Services at McLaren Central Michigan. “This facility has become a beacon of hope for thousands of patients and their families, and as we stop to look back, we also look to the future and continuing our unwavering commitment to support and fight alongside every patient seeking our care.”

Through McLaren Health Care’s acquisition of the Karmanos Cancer Institute in 2014, McLaren Central Michigan has become part of the statewide Karmanos Cancer Network, the largest cancer network in Michigan, anchored by the world-renown Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. Through this network, patients of the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Central Michigan, along with oncologists and other providers, receive the advantage of the knowledge and experience of their colleagues throughout the state in service of their patients. Patients can also gain admission into clinical trials, undergoing tomorrow’s cancer treatments today.

And while benefitting from the depth of expertise throughout the state, the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Central Michigan expanded its own care offerings, adding advanced pieces of clinical technology, such as a TruBeam linear accelerator for radiation therapies, and by adding several oncologists to serve full time in Mount Pleasant, as well as a nursing staff having earned an advanced oncology certification through the Oncology Nursing Society.

The original task of establishing a cancer center in Mount Pleasant was an accomplishment shared amongst the community, as the Morey Foundation and Isabella Bank, among other local organizations, along with countless hospital staff members at the time, donated to the fund that made this facility and expansion of service a reality.

In addition to its cancer treatments, McLaren Central Michigan is also dedicated to providing patients in the region with access to screenings for common cancers free of charge. Upcoming screenings include:

Prostate Cancer Screening

Sept. 26 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Central Michigan, Morey Cancer Center 

Men over 50 and high-risk men aged 40 to49 can benefit from this simple blood test. Complete a health questionnaire, get your blood drawn, and receive results within two weeks. Test results can be shared with physicians as requested. Registration is required and can be made by calling (989) 779-5606.

Breast Cancer Screening

Oct. 10 from 9 to 11 a.m.

McLaren Central Michigan, Mammography, West Entrance 

Screening for breast cancer will give you your best chance to identify cancer early. Women 40 years and older, without health insurance, and who have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months are eligible to participate in our free screening. The screening includes a clinical breast exam conducted by Stephanie Leslie, FNP or Kristen Carrillo-Kappus, MD and a free digital Mammogram. Registration is required and can be made by calling (989) 779-5606.

Learn more about cancer care at the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Central Michigan at karmanos.org/centralmichigan.
 

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