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Grand Valley Oncology

688 23 1/2 Road
Grand Junction, CO 81505

(970) 644-3180

(970) 644-3198

Monday - Friday:
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology is committed to improving our patients and their families’ quality of life right here on the Western Slope. We understand that access to care, comfort and compassion is important in treating cancer. In recognizing this we offer a patient-centered approach that treats the whole patient and not just the disease. We put patients first.

Medical Oncology

Medical oncology is the ongoing evaluation and management of cancer patients through the treatment of their disease with chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted agents.

The medical oncology team consists of medical oncologists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, oncology nurses and other oncology-trained staff. Our multidisciplinary team works with each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs and diagnosis. They will continue to assist patients with side effects they may experience during cancer treatment, offer medical guidance and help patients make decisions throughout their treatment.

Our medical oncology team are all board certified and have years of experience in treating blood and marrow transplant, breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, neuro oncology and melanoma/sarcoma.

Medical Oncology Providers

Radiation Oncology

A patient's individualized cancer treatment plan may include radiation therapy. In this treatment, high-energy x-rays, electrons, or other sources of radiation are used to destroy cancer cells.

Treatment with radiation is provided by a team of radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and physicists. Our highly trained and experienced radiation therapy team works closely with medical oncologists, surgeons and specialists from other disciplines to provide the best, comprehensive cancer care possible.

Grand Valley Oncology offers these specialized forms of external beam radiation therapy:

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

IMRT optimizes the dose and beam arrangement to precisely treat a tumor of complex shape or location with minimal radiation to surrounding tissue.

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)

SABR uses three-dimensional images and precise patient positioning to direct a large dose of radiation to a small area.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)

SRS is a non-surgical procedure using radiation to deliver treatment to small brain tumors or lesions. Treatment accuracy is within millimeters. Treatment delivery is in large doses but only over a single or few treatments.

High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR)

Radiation delivered by placing a radioactive source within your body close to the tumor. Can be used to treat gynecological as well as prostate cancers.

Our advanced radiation equipment allows us to target treatment of tumors with remarkable precision and thereby spare healthy surrounding tissue – maximizing cures while minimizing side effects.

Radiation Oncology Providers

Gynecologic Oncology

Community Hospital proudly employs the only gynecologic oncology surgeons on the Western Slope.

Our team recognizes that every woman is unique. We are dedicated to serving women in the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological cancers. Dr Croft and Dr. Bigsby are highly skilled in the most state-of-the-art technology and techniques, allowing their patients to receive the best possible care close to home.

Dr. Croft and Dr. Bigsby work closely with the medical and radiation oncologists at Grand Valley Oncology. This multidisciplinary team approach ensures the best possible outcome for their patients.

Click here for more information.

Meet Your Providers

Breast Cancer Care Team

Grand Valley Oncology's breast cancer care team offers compassionate and comprehensive care using the latest treatments, techniques and technology to help achieve the best possible outcomes.

Our breast cancer care team is comprised of medical oncologists Dr. JoAnne Virgilio and Dr. Kristina Goutsouliak, radiation oncologists Dr. Ryan Bagley and Dr. Jonathan Frandsen and surgeons Dr. Courtney Fulton and Dr. Stacy Henderson. This team of physicians work closely and take an integrative approach to treat and monitor breast cancer.

Left to Right: Courtney Fulton, MD, Surgery; Kristina Goutsouliak, MD, Medical Oncology; JoAnne Virgilio, DO, Medical Oncology; Stacy Henderson, MD, Plastic Surgery; Jonathan Frandsen, MD, Radiation Oncology; Ryan Bagley, MD, Radiation Oncology

Surgical Options

Dr. Courtney Fulton and Dr. Stacy Henderson work together to offer comprehensive surgical options to treat breast cancer. Treatment plans are individualized to the patient to provide the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Fulton is the only fellowship trained breast cancer surgeon in western Colorado. Her passion is oncoplastic surgery, a form of breast reconstruction that combines cancer resection with tissue resculpting. There are many options for breast cancer surgery, and she feels her role is to help the patient decide on the right treatment plan for them. The field of surgery is rapidly changing, so Dr. Fulton keeps up-to-date on the latest advances by attending multiple conferences a year. Her operative techniques aim to provide the best cancer and cosmetic outcomes possible. She offers the latest breast surgery techniques, including wire-free breast conserving lumpectomies, oncoplastic surgery, mastectomies (aesthetic flat closure, skin sparing, and nipple sparing), sentinel node biopsy and axillary lymph node dissection. She also offers immediate reconstruction with Dr. Henderson.

Dr. Henderson is a plastic and microvascular surgeon and is the only surgeon in the region to offer completely natural breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgeries using living tissue from the abdomen (DIEP flap), bottom (SGAP flap), back (TDAP flap) or thigh (PAP flap). This type of reconstruction allows women to avoid implants and achieve a soft, natural-appearing breast reconstruction. It is a great option for women with a history of breast radiation, failed implant reconstruction, or those who want to avoid the maintenance associated with implants. Dr. Henderson is able to uniquely connect with her patients to achieve their body goals through surgery.

Medical Oncology

Treating breast cancer requires a multifaceted treatment approach. Treatment options are continually evolving and becoming more personalized, precise and less invasive, allowing for the best possible outcomes without compromising quality of life. Dr. Kristina Goutsouliak and Dr. JoAnne Virgilio offer compassionate and comprehensive treatment tailored to your unique breast cancer subtype, stage, genetic factors, overall health and personal preferences. In addition to your medical oncologist, your breast cancer team comprises of a variety of specialists including a genetic counselor, social worker, dietitian and financial counselor.

Our collaborative team approach ensures that you not only have access to the latest cutting-edge treatment including clinical trials, but that your emotional, mental and physical health is also supported throughout your breast cancer journey giving you the best chance for a positive outcome.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation also plays a vital role in the management of breast cancers to decrease the likelihood of recurrence. Dr. Ryan Bagley and Dr. Jonathan Frandsen offer cutting-edge radiation techniques to not only treat the cancer but to decrease both short and long-term side effects from therapies. At Community Hospital, we utilize state-of-the-art radiation equipment including the TrueBeam from Varian Medical Systems. This technology allows for improved cancer outcomes and better recovery.

Radiation techniques specifically designed for breast cancer include deep inspiration breath hold (to decrease radiation dose to heart), prone treatment techniques (to decrease heart and lung radiation dose), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), 3D conformal radiation therapy and brachytherapy. Our treatment regimens range from 5 days to 6 weeks depending on individual clinical scenarios.

Meet Your Breast Cancer Care Team

Supportive Oncology & Survivorship Care

Due to the advances in early detection and treatment, cancer survivors are living longer than ever before. It is estimated that by 2022 there will be 18 million cancer survivors. That is why Grand Valley Oncology strives to offer the best to our patients in providing comprehensive care in our survivorship clinic.

What is survivorship care?

Grand Valley Oncology understands that survivors will have significant medical and psychological needs following their active oncology treatment. It is our goal to help patients with this transition through our survivorship program.

What should you expect?

As patients begin to transition from active oncology treatment, the provider will refer the patient to the survivorship clinic. At the clinic, the focus will be on:

Education
Symptom management
Wellness

What will happen during my visit?

Comprehensive review of your medical history
Complete physical examination
Extensive review of all relevant study results
Thorough assessment to detect the recurrence of cancer
Management of long term effects of cancer treatment
Recommendations regarding healthy lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, etc.)
Referrals to other specialists as needed
Opportunities to participate in research dedicated to survivorship care

Click here to read the Grand Valley Oncology Supportive Oncology Newsletter.

Meet Your Providers

Integrative Therapies

Grand Valley Oncology’s Integrative Wellness Program promotes physical and emotional well-being and a sense of balance for people diagnosed with cancer and for their loved ones. The Center's programs and services complement the medical care of GVO patients before, during, and after treatment.

Acupuncture

Practiced for thousands of years, acupuncture is one branch of a holistic system known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its function is to promote health and treat distressing symptoms. Acupuncture is the ancient practice of inserting fine sterile needles through the skin to stimulate specific anatomic points on the body. An overall treatment goal of TCM acupuncture is to assist the body’s natural ability to heal by influencing the quality, balance and flow of one’s energy system.

Adapted from traditional Chinese medicine, this technique uses fine needles that are inserted through the skin at specific points. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sterile, nontoxic needles for single use by licensed practitioners.

Guided Imagery

Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state. You can use an instructor, tapes, or scripts to help you through this process.

Healthy Journey

Healing Haven

The Healing Haven aims to provide the convenience of high-quality, meaningful products at the lowest possible cost, including Thorne supplements and cooling therapy agents. The Healing Haven also offers wigs, blankets, port pillows, and head coverings at no cost to our patients. These free items are donated, and availability may vary.

Restorative Movement

Restorative Movement comprises a wide variety of methods — such as meditation, mindfulness strategies, breath work, relaxation techniques. Research has indicated that a daily practice of yoga to be beneficial during both active treatment and long into survivorship.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is graceful, relaxed, slow and fluid movement. Unlike some qigong methods that exercise specific systems or parts of the body, Taiji Quan is a whole body, whole mind exercise. It treats health systemically, restoring the body to its original “program,” uncorrupted by stress, pollution and disease.

Ortho-Bionomy

Ortho-Bionomy is a neurological and structural approach to body work that relieves tension and pain in the body. It uses gentle positioning and movements which can allow tension patterns which are creating pain to relax, reset and reorganize from within.

Weight Reduction Program

Through our Integrative Wellness Program, we offer weight loss and a healthier lifestyle education to assist in maintain your results after dieting. This may include working closing with the Wellness Center (link to their program), local referrals, integrated classes, and personal coaching with the survivorship program.

Click here to review the upcoming class schedule.

Signs that you and/or your family may benefit from genetic counseling:

Several members on the same side of the family with the same kind or related types of cancer
Cancer diagnosed at a young age (breast, colon, or uterine cancer before 50)
Family members with more than one kind of cancer (ex. breast and ovarian cancer, colon and uterine cancer)
Family members with rare cancers (ex. ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, male breast cancer)

Genetic Counseling

Genetic counseling is the process of reviewing your personal and family history to determine if you and/or your family members may have an increased risk for specific health conditions. People with a family history of cancer have a higher risk of getting cancer. Only 5-10 percent of all cancers are caused by inherited mutations.

A genetic counselor can help you make informed decisions about your health care. Information obtained from genetic risk assessment and testing can:

Be used to create a personalized screening and risk reduction plan.
Provide information about risks to your family members.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with our certified genetic counselor, please ask your primary care provider for a referral for genetic counseling. Once the referral is received, our office will contact you to schedule the appointment. Referrals can be sent to Grand Valley Oncology, (phone 970-644-3180, fax 970-644-3198).

During a genetic counseling consultation, you and the genetic counselor will discuss:

Personal and/or family history of cancer
Personalized risk calculations & chance of having an inherited cancer syndrome
Recommendations made about cancer screening and prevention
Genetic testing options, costs and insurance coverage

Is genetic counseling covered by my insurance?

For most patients, genetic counseling is covered by insurance. A benefits review will be completed before you are contacted to schedule an appointment. If genetic counseling is not covered by your insurance, you will be contacted by a Grand Valley Oncology staff member to discuss the cost and payment options.

Is genetic testing covered by my insurance?

Genetic testing is covered for many patients depending on personal and family history of specific health conditions. During your genetic counseling session you will discuss:

Whether or not you meet criteria for genetic testing.
Possible out-of-pocket expenses.

Meet Your Providers

Rapid Diagnostic Clinic

The Rapid Diagnostic Clinic (RDC) helps quickly diagnose breast changes to ensure that patients receive appropriate care. Patients can be seen in our clinic through either a referral from their primary care physician due to a concerning finding or through an abnormal screening mammogram as recommended by a radiologist.

Patients who come to the clinic get all of their mammograms, additional views, ultrasounds and biopsies as necessary in one morning with navigation through the process by our team nurses and radiologists. Patients who need surgical follow-up are seen 24-48 hours later with fast-tracked biopsy results to start making a plan for treatment. The Rapid Diagnostic Clinic can help identify the reasons behind breast changes in a matter of days rather than weeks.

Some indicators of breast cancer may include a new lump in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling of part of the breast, irritation or dimpling of the breast skin, redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast, pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area, nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood, any change in size or shape of the breast, pain in any area of the breast. It is important to note that these symptoms can occur with other conditions that are not cancer. If signs or symptoms cause concern, individuals are encouraged to contact their physician right away.

Click here for more information.

Meet Your Providers

High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic

The High Risk Breast Cancer Risk Clinic aims to help patient’s understand their risk, implement daily cancer prevention and develop a personalized screening plan.

Women with gene mutations or strong family histories of breast cancer may have a higher chance of breast cancer. There are many options to reduce the risk for breast cancer. There are also many options to screen for and help detect breast cancer early. The High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic will create an individualized screening plan and lifestyle changes to help decrease the risk of developing breast cancer.

Am I at an increased risk for breast cancer?

The following factors put women at an increased risk for breast cancer:

Positive genetic test result (ex. BRCA1/2, PALB2, ATM, CHEK, etc.)
Family history of breast cancer
Personal history of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or remote history of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
High risk due to risk assessment model (ex. >20% Tyrer Cuizick)

What happens during this appointment?

A certified genetic counselor will do a cancer risk assessment.
A doctor will evaluate if you are increased risk, help you make daily actions to decrease cancer risk and order increased breast screening (if needed).
We may also discuss birth control options, hormone replacement therapy, chemoprevention and surgical recommendations.

Meet Your Providers

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials Mission Statement

Service. Excellence. Partnerships. Integrity. Attitude.

Our mission is to provide the highest quality health care possible in a safe and comfortable environment. Clinical Trials offers patients additional options for various types of cancer outside of standard treatment options. Clinical trials can help support new and innovative methods of cancer treatment options for generations to come. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) supports the use of clinical trials and strongly encourages participation in clinical trials for optimized management of cancer care. We continue to expand the number of clinical trials offered at Community Hospital's Grand Valley Oncology. We are working diligently to ensure patients can receive the best possible cancer care right here at home and we are proud to be the premier cancer center on the Western Slope.

What are clinical trials?

Clinical trials are research studies that test a medical, surgical or behavioral intervention in order to answer one of more questions. There are many different types of clinical trials/research studies, including by not limited to:

Evaluating new drugs.
Evaluating new ways to give already approved drugs or new combinations of drugs.
Evaluating new combinations of treatments such as surgery or radiation.
New cancer prevention methods (e.g. nutrition, exercise, etc.).
Mew methods to diagnose cancer (e.g. screening, diagnostic tests, etc.).
Ways to make life better for cancer patients (e.g. symptom management, counseling, etc.).

Participation in a clinical trial is 100% voluntary. This means you can withdraw from the study at any time if you or your medical team decide the clinical trial is no longer the best option for you.

Clinical Trial Phases

Clinical Trials are tested in a series of phases that must be followed carefully in order for a new treatment to be approved for commercial use. New testing of a treatment will begin with small populations of volunteers to determine safety and dosing parameters before moving into larger patient populations to establish the treatment as a working alternative to other commercially available treatments.

What are the Benefits and Risks of Participation?

As with any treatment option, a clinical trial has possible benefits and drawbacks. Please discuss the following with your provider:

Possible Benefits

Clinical trials offer high-quality cancer care. If you are in a randomized study and do not receive the new treatment being tested, you will receive the best-known standard treatment. This may be as good as, or better than, the new approach.
If a new treatment is proven to work and you are receiving it, you may be among the first to benefit.
You have the chance to help others and improve cancer treatment.

Possible Drawbacks

New treatments under study are not always better than, or even as good as, standard care.
New treatments may have side effects that doctors do not expect or that are worse than those of standard treatment.
Even if a new treatment has benefits, it may not work for you. Even standard treatments, proven effective for many people, do not help everyone.
Health insurance and managed care providers may not cover all patient care costs in a study.

Other Resources

For more information about Clinical Research and cancer diagnoses you can access the following sites:

Hhs.gov - About Research Participation

Cancer.gov - Clinical Trials

Nccn.org - Cancers

ClinicalTrials.gov - Clinical Trials Search

Huntsman Cancer Institute - Clinical Trials

How do I participate in Clinical Trials?

Each clinical trial has patients with a specific type and stage of cancer. Participating in a clinical trial is your decision, however your doctor must first determine if you meet the requirements for the study you are interested in.

In general, you must meet these requirements:

The type and extent of your cancer has the same characteristics as the cancer being studied.
A doctor has reviewed your general health, and it meets study requirements.
We have answered all your questions about clinical trials.
You understand the possible benefits and risks of participating.
You agree to participate, and you have signed and submitted your informed consent form.

For more information on the clinical trials at Community Hospital’s Grand Valley Oncology, please call (970) 644-4460.

Available Clinical Trials at Grand Valley Oncology

Please click on links below to learn more about each trial.

Breast

Leukemia

Lung

Solid Tumors – Multiple Disease Types

Other - Treatment Side Effects

Other - Quality of Life, BioMarkers, Supportive Care

In addition to the above trials open at Grand Valley Oncology, we also have access to several clinical trials through our research partners. Please contact us to see if we have a trial for you!

Conflict of Interest

In accordance with Federal regulations and institutional policy, researchers at Colorado West Healthcare System and Grand Valley Oncology are required to disclose Significant Financial Interests (SFIs). Additionally, Colorado West Healthcare System and Grand Valley Oncology are required to post our institutional policy related to Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) for researchers. The policy is available here.

Members of the public can request and obtain the following information concerning any SFIs held be senior/key personnel for a Public Health Service funded research project where the SFI is determined to be a Financial Conflict of Interest, as defined by our policy:

The researcher's name
The researcher's title and role with respect to the research project
The name of the entity in which the significant financial interest is held
Nature of the Significant Financial Interest

Approximate dollar value (by dollar range) of the significant financial interest or statement that the interest is one whose value cannot be readily determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures of fair market value.

To obtain this information, please email gvoclinicaltrials@gjhosp.org. We require the name of the researcher or a description of the records of interest in order to access the information. Please include the address to which the information shall be sent. Once the request is received, a response will be provided within five business days.

Information for Sponsors

Our current FWA status can be verified by entering FWA "00024869" (or Colorado West Healthcare System) here . We have created a Site Information Profile Document to assist sponsors in assessing whether or not we may be a good fit for a potential study. Please request a copy by emailing our clinical trials team.

Our research team meets every Tuesday to review potential research studies. Please email your introduction letter and/or synopsis to gvoclinicaltrials@gjhosp.org with an attention to the research director.

Student Internship Opportunities

Grand Valley Oncology offers student internship opportunities. Please contact our clinical trials team to learn more about available internships.

Cancer Rehabilitation Program

Our Cancer Rehabilitation Program is committed to improving quality of life for cancer patients through individualized rehabilitation exercise. Sessions help patients maximize independence in daily activities, improve strength and endurance, decrease fatigue and manage pain.

Physical Therapy

Cancer and treatment can cause physical problems including pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness. These may then interfere with life in a variety of ways including physically, emotionally and practically. While not all cancer survivors need rehabilitation services that are guided by health care professionals, most will need to at least work on improving strength and stamina.

Lymphedema Clinic

Lymphedema causes swelling in the arms and legs. Some cancer survivors may experience lymphedema as a side effect of surgical or radiation cancer treatment. Early identification and treatment may prevent the condition from progressing and this can improve quality of life.

Occupational Therapy

Cancer and its treatment can cause interruptions in daily routines affecting how individuals perform their self-care, work, leisure or social activities. Occupational therapy practitioners have the knowledge and expertise to modify activities and environments to allow individuals to do the things they want and need to do to maintain quality of life.

Speech Therapist

Therapists address problems you might experience, including dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, loss of voice and cognitive changes that can result from cancer treatment.

Oncology Social Support Services

Research informs us that every person diagnosed with cancer experiences distress at some point throughout treatment. It is normal for patients to feel sad, fearful, and helpless. Distress may range from minor anxiety and stress-related symptoms to severe depression that challenges the patient’s ability to cope.

Research also states that managing distress positively affects treatment outcomes and patient well-being. Therefore, Grand Valley Oncology offers complimentary social support services to patients and their families to help mitigate symptoms of distress.

Hannah Tucker holds a Masters in Social Work from Colorado Mesa University and assists with advanced directives, access to community resources and gas cards/lodging applications. She also provides counseling services to patients.

Samritha Sanchez holds a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University and provides individual, couples, and family therapy as well as financial counseling. Samritha is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor formally trained in EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples, and CBT.

As part of this free service:

We help the patient and their loved one’s cope with a cancer diagnosis.
We teach stress-reduction techniques, behavior modification, and cognitive reframing skills.
We support our patients as they make informed decisions regarding healthcare.
We help you access community and national resources, including transportation to treatment, SSI, Medicaid, and financial assistance grants.
We help you better understand and complete advanced directives.
We advocate for the patient from the point of diagnosis through treatment and/or survivorship.

Hannah Tucker

Social Worker

htucker@gjhosp.org

(970) 644-4468

Samritha Sanchez

Licensed Professional Counselor

ssanchez@gjhosp.org

(970) 644-3224

Cancer Care Teams

Breast Cancer Care Team

Our breast cancer care team offers compassionate and comprehensive care using the latest treatments, techniques and technology to help achieve the best possible outcomes.

Grand Valley Oncology's breast cancer care team is comprised of medical oncologists Dr. JoAnne Virgilio and Dr. Kristina Goutsouliak, radiation oncologists Dr. Ryan Bagley and Dr. Jonathan Frandsen and surgeons Dr. Courtney Fulton and Dr. Stacy Henderson. This team of physicians work closely and take an integrative approach to treat and monitor breast cancer.

Surgery

Dr. Courtney Fulton and Dr. Stacy Henderson work together to offer comprehensive surgical options to treat breast cancer. Treatment plans are individualized to provide the best possible outcomes. Dr. Fulton is the only fellowship trained breast cancer surgeon in western Colorado. Her passion is oncoplastic surgery, a form of breast reconstruction that combines cancer resection with tissue resculpting. Dr. Henderson is a plastic and microvascular surgeon and is the only surgeon in the region to offer completely natural breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgeries using living tissue from the abdomen (DIEP flap), bottom (SGAP flap), back (TDAP flap) or thigh (PAP flap).

Medical Oncology

Radiation Oncology

Head and Neck Cancer Care Team

Our head and neck cancer care team strives to provide our patients with the most compassionate care and comprehensive care possible. Our approach is not only patient centered, but with the goal that we treat the whole patient, not just the disease. In order to best serve our patients, we offer a multidisciplinary clinic in which patients can meet with all the physicians who will be involved in their care. In addition, this clinic includes meetings with the ancillary services offered: speech and swallow therapy, nutrition and physical therapy.

Head and Neck Cancer Care Team

Left to right: Ryan Bagley, MD, Radiation Oncology; Jonathan Frandsen, MD, Radiation Oncology; Adam Baker, MD, ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery; Katie McKee-Cole, MD, ENT; Jonathan King, MD, Medical Oncology

Surgery

Surgical resection plays a key role in the management of many cancers of the head and neck. These surgeries are complex and often require expertise in modern reconstructive techniques. Dr. Katie McKee-Cole and Dr. Adam Baker come to Grand Junction from high volume head and neck cancer centers in Philadelphia. They are trained in all the latest surgical and reconstructive techniques. We are lucky to have their expertise available to our patients.

Radiation

Radiation also plays a vital role in the management of head and neck cancers. In the last decade, numerous advanced techniques have been developed to decrease the risk of short and long term side effects from radiation. Dr. J Ryan Bagley and Dr. Jonathan Frandsen come to our team from high volume, world class cancer centers where they learned how to employ these advanced planning and treatment techniques. In addition, at Community Hospital we have acquired the most advanced, state of the art radiation equipment currently available, the TrueBeam from Varian Medical Systems. The combination of our physicians' expertise and state of the art treatment techniques allows for improved cancer outcomes and better recovery.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is integral to achieving good outcomes in many head and neck cancers. Dr. Jonathan King comes to us from the University of Wisconsin, a world thought leader in advancements for treatments for these diseases. Dr. King offers the latest knowledge and expertise in chemotherapy and immunotherapies.

Testimonials

Lung Cancer Care Team

Our lung cancer care team's approach is not only patient centered but also focuses on treating the whole patient and not just the disease. We strive to provide our patients with the most compassionate and comprehensive care possible. A patient's individualized cancer treatment plan may include radiation therapy. In this treatment, high-energy x-rays, electrons, or other sources of radiation are used to destroy cancer cells.

Left to Right: Kathryn Glover, MD, Medical Oncology; Jonathan Frandsen, MD, Radiation Oncology; Ryan Bagley, MD, Radiation Oncology; Omar McTabi, DO, Pulmonology; Jonathan King, MD, Medical Oncology; Robert Brooks, MD, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery

Pulmonology

Dr. Omar McTabi is a triple board certified pulmonologist with Advanced Pulmonary and Critical Care of the Grand Valley. He is committed to seeing patients with lung cancer in a timely manner to efficiently begin treatment. His role in lung cancer is critical from diagnosis to recovery.

Surgery

Surgical resection plays a critical role in the management of lung cancer. Dr. Robert Brooks is board certified in thoracic surgery. He brings decades of experience to our team. He is trained in the latest techniques, including video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Over his career, he has operated on thousands of patients.

Chemotherapy

Dr. Jonathan King is our lung cancer specialist. His bedside manner is outstanding. One of his patients referred to him as "a cup of love" and when you see his joyful smile and sense his compassionate heart, you may very well agree. In addition to traditional chemotherapies, he and his team at Grand Valley Oncology offer the latest treatments available for individuals with lung cancer, including cutting edge clinical trials and immunotherapy.

Dr. Kathryn Glover cherishes the deep, personal, and long-term relationships she builds with her patients, considering it an honor and privilege to help navigate the challenges of a new cancer diagnosis alongside them and their families. Known for her personable and deeply invested approach, Dr. Glover treats her patients as family, walking them through their journey with compassion, kindness and care. Her dedication and determination as a physician are evident in her commitment to providing the highest quality of care.

Radiation Oncology

Radiation also plays an important role in the management of lung cancers. In the last decade, numerous advanced techniques have been developed to decrease the risk of short and long term side effects from radiation. Dr. J Ryan Bagley and Dr. Jonathan Frandsen utilize advanced planning and treatment techniques. Community Hospital has state-of-the-art radiation oncology equipment, the TrueBeam from Varian Medical Systems. The combination of our physicians' expertise and treatment techniques allows for improved cancer outcomes.

Radiology

At community hospital, we offer a wide array of services for our lung cancer patients, including: lung cancer screening; CT guided biopsies; PET CT services; and the latest interventional procedures (cryotherapy and microwave ablation). As a group, our radiology team has decades of experience.