Mercy Health, James Cancer Center announce affiliation

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LIMA — The broad smile on the face of the president of Mercy Health of Toledo/Lima told the larger story.

Comments from the medical director of Mercy Health-St. Rita’s oncology department made it extremely personal.

Excitement was very much in the air Wednesday morning at the Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Cancer Center in Lima as a partnership that has been in the making for nearly a year was made public.

Mercy Health has teamed with the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research to bring state-of-the art oncology treatment options and resources to Lima, allowing cancer patients and their families to stay closer to home while battling the disease.

“It’s hard to convey the genuine excitement that myself and our entire staff are feeling regarding today’s announcement,” said Bob Baxter, president of Mercy Health Toledo and Lima. “Today’s announcement will impact thousands of people in a concrete, meaningful way.”

Dr. Chris Rhoades, director of the oncology department at St. Rita’s, made the importance of the event even more personal.

“This affiliation is about you … and you … and you,” Rhoades said as he randomly pointed to members of the assembled crowd. “Because in the United States four in 10 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. That’s why this affiliation is important.”

Dr. David Cohn, chief medical officer at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center, termed the new partnership between Mercy Health and “The James” a landmark event.

“As health care professionals in Ohio State’s cancer program collaborate with professionals in the excellent cancer programs offered by our affiliates in The James Cancer Network, more and more people with cancer are experiencing better outcomes, fewer side effects and more hope — without venturing far from home,” said Cohn.

“This is a great day for Mercy Health and Ohio State University and everybody in the region,” Cohn continued. “Through the James Network, specialists at St. Rita’s will have access to the newest and most sophisticated cancer therapies and treatments, some of which are offered nowhere else.”

Rhoades said persons battling cancer “go to the place where they think they have the best chance of being cured. That what this affiliation with The James is all about. Patients have to have faith and trust in their physicians, and they now know we (St. Rita’s) have a tie-in to one of the major cancer centers in the country.”

According to information provided by Mercy Health, 582 new invasive cancer cases and 245 cancer-related deaths occurred annually on average in Allen County between 2010-2014.

“This affiliation provides Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Cancer Center physicians and patients access to the expertise and sub-specialization at The James as network members, while allowing patients to stay close to home where they will be near their loved ones and support system,” Baxter said.

He thanked all the partners for working so diligently to bring the partnership to Lima.

“It really does take a village to pull something like this off,” said Baxter.

Dr. David Cohn, left, Dr. Chris Rhoades, and Bob Baxter, president, Mercy Health converse after the St. Rita’s Medical Center & the James affiliation announcement on Wednesday morning at St. Rita’s Cancer Center.
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/12/web1_St.-Rita-s-announcement_01co.jpgDr. David Cohn, left, Dr. Chris Rhoades, and Bob Baxter, president, Mercy Health converse after the St. Rita’s Medical Center & the James affiliation announcement on Wednesday morning at St. Rita’s Cancer Center. Craig J. Orosz | Aim Media Midwest
New affiliation brings increased cancer treatment options to Lima

By J Swygart

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 567-242-0464.

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