Saint Joseph Mount Sterling begins partnership with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center

MOUNT STERLING, Ky. (WTVQ) – Saint Joseph Mount Sterling announced during its virtual event on May 26 that CHI Saint Joseph Health’s affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center will expand to serve its patients. This connection will boost Saint Joseph Mount Sterling’s capabilities and give patients in the area a higher level of cancer care closer to home.

The announcement comes a year and a half after the launch of CHI Saint Joseph Health and Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center’s affiliation in Lexington.

Jennifer Nolan, president of Saint Joseph Health

“This affiliation means that our patients in Montgomery and surrounding counties will have access to second opinions and input to treatment plans from one of the nation’s most respected cancer programs,” said Jennifer Nolan, president of Saint Joseph Mount Sterling. “Being able to offer this expertise in a small community like Mount Sterling will allow our patients to receive this highly specialized care close to home.”

This relationship between the two healthcare facilities will permit patients and oncologists in Saint Joseph Mount Sterling access to highly specialized treatment options and the ability to consult with world-renowned experts and subspecialists at one of the U.S. News and World Report ranked top 5 cancer centers in the country.

Tony Houston, CEO of CHI Saint Joseph Health

“Since we launched the affiliation, more than 220 patients have benefited through consultations, tumor board review and input into treatment plans … all without having to leave their home communities,” said Tony Houston, CEO of CHI Saint Joseph Health. “Care close to home is vital for cancer patients, but it has been especially beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our oncologists have direct access to Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center specialists. It is a convenient and reliable process that brings these world-class subspecialists into the treatment plans for those patients who need that level of input.”

According to CHI Saint Joseph Health, 16 patients have traveled to Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center for a one-time specialized surgery, after which they have been able to receive their radiation or chemotherapy treatments closer to home with CHI Saint Joseph Health.

“Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center is thrilled to be working with CHI Saint Joseph Health because of our shared values and priority for clinical excellence,” said Dr. Hetty Carraway, Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center. “CHI Saint Joseph Health has been incredibly engaged and dedicated to a multidisciplinary team-based approach to patient care, and we are excited to expand our relationship to Mount Sterling.”

Similar to the 2019 process CHI Saint Joseph Health – Cancer Care in Lexington went through, the decision for an affiliation follows a thorough review process of the care and services provided by CHI Saint Joseph Health – Cancer Care at Saint Joseph Mount Sterling.

Beyond direct patient care, Lexington’s cancer care centers have leveraged this relationship to make programmatic and clinical improvements, like adding a HOPE line call center for new patients and streamlining second opinion requests. Beginning next week, the HOPE line at 844-940-4673 (HOPE) will also be used for scheduling cancer screening appointments in an effort to provide easier access to preventative measures.

To view the full recording of the press conference, visit https://www.facebook.com/chisaintjosephhealthsaintjosephmountsterling/videos/1816770795160710.

To view a special message from Dr. Hetty Carraway, Department of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ043B4JXjo.

To learn more about CHI Saint Joseph Health’s affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/hope.

To visit the Cleveland Clinic cancer page, click here.