Medical Oncology at Celilo Cancer Center
MCMC is continually working to ensure that we are able to meet the needs of those we serve in the midst of the ever-changing environment around us. In response to the many pressures we face as a community health organization, and despite our extensive efforts to consistently staff Celilo Cancer Center with medical oncologists and advanced practice providers, we have made the difficult decision stop medical oncology services at Celilo Cancer Center for the time being due to the lack of provider coverage. This will be effective February 28, 2023.
This impacts cancer care currently managed at Celilo, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Please note that radiation oncology services, non-chemo infusion services, implanted device maintenance, and surgical cancer care: breast, colon, and access ports will still be offered and are not impacted by this change.
While this was an incredibly hard decision to make, MCMC is facing the same critical staffing shortage as other hospitals and health systems in Oregon and across the country, particularly in specialty areas like medical oncology.
Our patients’ health and well-being remain our highest priority, and we are working through the options available to ensure their care continues with other providers. We are reaching out to current patients directly to discuss these ongoing treatment options and next steps. MCMC leadership team is working and exploring all possibilities to seek a solution to provide our community with access to cancer care close to home.
While change is never easy, we continue to work diligently to evolve to be able to effectively respond to current and future challenges and ensure we are able to provide the high-quality, local healthcare our patients deserve.
Patient Transition Plan and Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Oncology Closure
Frequently Asked Questions
- What services are will no longer be offered at Celilo Cancer Center?
Medical oncology services, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and dedicated lab services will no longer be offered at Celilo Cancer Center.
What services will remain at Celilo Cancer Center?
Radiation oncology services, non-chemo infusion services, implanted device maintenance, and surgical cancer care: breast, colon, access ports, prostate, urological, head, neck and breast cancer navigation will remain at Celilo Cancer Center.
- Why is MCMC discontinuing medical oncology services at Celilo Cancer Center?
This is not the decision we wanted to make, and it comes after an exhaustive search for a solution. The fact is, we do not have a sufficient number of medical oncology providers to safely deliver the high-quality care our patients need and deserve.
Over the past few months, we have worked hard to recruit additional providers, introduce temporary and contract providers and consolidate where necessary, but these short-term measures have become unsustainable.
- What will happen to medical oncology patients?
Our patients’ health and well-being remain our highest priority, and we are working through the options available to ensure their care continues with other healthcare providers. We are reaching out to current patients directly to discuss ongoing treatment options and next steps.
- Does this mean there will be no medical oncology care in the Gorge?
MCMC was the only provider of medical oncology services in the Gorge. We are working through the options available to ensure our patients’ care continues with other healthcare providers located as close to them as possible. Our patient transition plan, which can be found on our website, has a list of clinics accepting new cancer referrals. We are reaching out to our current patients directly to discuss ongoing treatment options and next steps.
Additionally, MCMC leadership is working collaboratively with multiple organizations to restore medical oncology cancer care in the Gorge, but necessary regulatory approvals make this a slow process.
We understand the importance of providing our community with access to cancer care close to home. We will continue to seek a solution and hope to find one soon.
- What if a patient has a medical oncology appointment AFTER February 28, 2023?
We are reaching out to our current patients directly to discuss ongoing treatment options and next steps.
- What if a patient has a medical oncology appointment BEFORE February 28, 2023?
Medical oncology services at Celilo Cancer Center will not end until February 28, therefore patients should keep their appointments scheduled before this date.
- What if a current patient has questions about how this announcement impacts their care?
We are reaching out to our current patients directly to discuss ongoing treatment options and next steps. Celilo Cancer Center patients with questions regarding this announcement can call 541-296-7217.
- Does this mean that Celilo Cancer Center is closing?
No. This announcement only impacts medical oncology services. Radiation oncology services, non-chemo infusion services, implanted device maintenance, and surgical cancer care: breast, colon, access ports, prostate, urological, head, neck and breast cancer navigation are not impacted by this change.