DALLAS, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Oncology's Mamie McFadden Ward Cancer Center on the Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital campus in Beaumont has re-opened today, with partial services available. The center had been closed due to lack of power and water since Hurricane Rita shut down most of Beaumont on September 24.
"We should be fully operational by next Monday," says Greg DeAtkine, executive director for Texas Oncology's Gulf Coast region. "While we didn't suffer any damage, we are restocking the pharmacy, cleaning the facility and making sure all equipment is fully operational. Many of our patients have continued treatment at other close-by facilities, and we encourage them to call the center to schedule appointments for treatment next week."
Texas Oncology's Mamie McFadden Ward Cancer Center treats approximately 2000 new patients from Beaumont and surrounding areas each year. Several hundred patients were displaced by Hurricane Rita and had to seek care at other facilities. After Hurricane Katrina, Texas Oncology facilities treated more than 200 displaced patients.
"For patients who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, we had to work hard to track down medical histories and treatment information. It was not a smooth process," says Dr. Pamela Medellin, medical oncologist at Texas Oncology-Baytown. "With Hurricane Rita, Texas Oncology set up a command post that allowed physicians to easily access patient records, treatment levels, medication and special needs. The result was a smooth transition between care providers that allowed patients easy access to continued high quality care."
About Texas Oncology
Texas Oncology's comprehensive cancer centers offer diagnostics, medical oncology, radiation oncology, labs and pharmacies all in one convenient, community-based facility. With more than 200 physicians, 35 cancer centers and more than 85 total sites of service, Texas Oncology is the largest independent oncology practice in the nation.
Texas Oncology is a member of the US Oncology network, one of the nation's leading health services networks focused exclusively on cancer treatment and research. US Oncology is affiliated with 944 physicians practicing in 481 locations, including 82 outpatient cancer centers and 13 radiation-only sites in 33 states.
US Oncology, Inc.CONTACT: Deborah Garcia, Regional Director of Marketing of Texas Oncology,+1-832-601-6017, or Deborah.garcia@usoncology.com
Web site: http://www.usoncology.com/
