Limited Medical Oncology Care to Temporarily Resume at Celilo Cancer Center.

Limited medical oncology services, including onsite medical oncology and hematology appointments, chemotherapy, immunotherapy infusions and dedicated lab services, will be returning to MCMC’s Celilo Cancer Center beginning April 19^th for an initial 90-day period through a new collaboration with the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. The collaboration was made possible in part by our colleagues at Adventist Health Portland who have a longstanding partnership with the Knight Cancer Institute on their southeast Portland campus.

Medical oncology services are being offered temporarily and in a limited capacity. Patient care will transition back to Celilo on a case-by-case basis depending on the specific needs of the individual patient and clinic resources. At this time, we will continue to be closed to new referrals as we determine the support needed for previously established patients.

This is a short-term agreement that will allow us to meet the core needs of cancer coverage in the Gorge. As we wait for our System Affiliation approval with Adventist Health, we continue to work with Adventist Health Portland and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute teams to establish a long-term plan.

We are grateful that thanks to Adventist Health Portland, we were able to expedite discussions with the Knight Cancer Institute and quickly determine the details of this new arrangement. We are confident that this is just the first of many opportunities that will benefit the community and patients we serve as a result of our pending affiliation with Adventist Health.

Patients with questions can contact the Celilo Cancer Center at 541.296.7585. Media inquiries should be directed to Travis Dray at 541-506-5750 or travisdr@mcmc.net.

Thank you for your support as we continue to search for solutions to our medical oncologist provider shortage so we can once again provide all of our patients with medical oncology care close to home.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What happens now? How will this impact patients?

Please note that these services are being offered on a short-term basis and in a limited capacity. Patient care will transition back to Celilo on a case-by-case basis depending on the specific needs of the individual patient and clinic resources. 

2. Does this mean Celilo Cancer Center is accepting new referrals?

At this time, we will continue to be closed to new referrals as we determine the support needed for previously established patients. 

3. What does this mean for Celilo radiation oncology services?

Radiation oncology services, non-chemo infusion services, implanted device maintenance, surgical cancer care: breast, colon, access ports, prostate, and urological support were not impacted when medical oncology services paused in February. Those services will continue to be offered at Celilo Cancer Center without any change.

4. What does this mean for lab services?

Onsite lab services will be returning to Celilo Cancer Center during open clinic hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00m. The lab is closed for lunch every day from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

5. How can patients learn more?

Celilo Cancer Center patients with more questions regarding this announcement can contact Celilo Cancer Center at 541.296.7585