The staff of the radiation oncology department at Altoona Regional Health System has received one of two awards in Pennsylvania for working with the American Cancer Society .
Together, the radiation oncology department and the local office of the American Cancer Society served more than 400 cancer patients last year. Their cooperation means cancer patients get not only medical care, but also receive help with rides to treatment, support groups, and other personal needs.
Dr. Jack Schocker is the Medical Director of the Radiation Oncology Department at Altoona Regional. He says, " the medical treatment gets the most attention but we've always believed you have to look at the whole person. A person being treated for cancer has a lot of special needs ."
Dr. Schocker says his staff deserves a lot of the credit for the recognition by the American Cancer Society.
He says they're willing to go the extra mile to ensure that patients benefit from all of the society's local programs so they don't just survive, but thrive.
"Cancer patients may feel overwhelmed during their journey," said Nikole Johnston, regional health initiatives representative for the Society. "We value the Radiation Oncology Department's efforts to provide patients with a seamless referral to programs to help meet their needs.
Together, the radiation oncology department and the local office of the American Cancer Society served more than 400 cancer patients last year. Their cooperation means cancer patients get not only medical care, but also receive help with rides to treatment, support groups, and other personal needs.
Dr. Jack Schocker is the Medical Director of the Radiation Oncology Department at Altoona Regional. He says, " the medical treatment gets the most attention but we've always believed you have to look at the whole person. A person being treated for cancer has a lot of special needs ."
Dr. Schocker says his staff deserves a lot of the credit for the recognition by the American Cancer Society.
He says they're willing to go the extra mile to ensure that patients benefit from all of the society's local programs so they don't just survive, but thrive.
"Cancer patients may feel overwhelmed during their journey," said Nikole Johnston, regional health initiatives representative for the Society. "We value the Radiation Oncology Department's efforts to provide patients with a seamless referral to programs to help meet their needs.
