New Heitz Radiation Oncology Center

with Carl Olson, M.D., Columbia St. Mary’s

Posted: Aug. 1, 2004

Undergoing radiation treatment for cancer frequently means daily visits to a radiation oncology clinic, visits that can go on for as long as eight weeks.

“That is a very important reason to celebrate the new radiation oncology clinic which opened at St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital in Mequon in April,” said Dr. Carl Olson, chairman of the radiation oncology department and medical director for Columbia St. Mary’s cancer program.

Carl Olson, M.D., Chairman of the Radiation Oncology Department and Medical Director for Columbia St. Mary’s Cancer Program "We have a lot of patients who live in the North Shore area who would otherwise have to drive many miles for their treatments who will now be able to get their treatments closer to home."

As is the case at Columbia Hospital’s Constance Walker Radiation Oncology Center, which is currently used by North Shore residents, patients at the new site will undergo an initial consultation, review of past treatment and collaborative discussions with all physicians involved in a person’s care.

After a design of a treatment plan, which takes into account other treatments a patient may be undergoing, he or she will begin a course of regular visits to the clinic. While on treatment, patients are evaluated regularly and kept apprised of their progress, observed for side effects and introduced to other members of the medical team.

The Heitz Radiation Oncology Cancer Center will contain the same state-of-the-art equipment as the Columbia site and as is the case at the Columbia site, the Ozaukee County location is a reference site for General Electric Medical Systems and Varlan Equipment.

Both companies provide the sites with the most advanced equipment available, enabling Columbia St. Mary’s doctors and medical staff to offer the widest possible range of treatment options. GE manufactures the CT scanners used by the department; Varlan makes the linear accelerators used for treatment.

The scanners localize tumors and normal tissue. That allows medical personnel to map out the most direct route to the cancerous masses, avoiding healthy areas. The accelerators are used for actual treatment.

Because of its status as a reference site, hospital and medical personnel have come from as far away as Europe to observe and learn about the latest techniques in treatment. More frequent observers are visitors from Canada and the Midwest.

While Dr. Olson, expressed pride in the state-of-the-art technology his clinic is able to offer patients, he stressed that the supportive atmosphere was equally important in providing successful treatment to people going through cancer treatment.

Toward that end, the new clinic provides acupuncture, nutritional counseling, psychotherapeutic services, plus pet and music therapy programs in addition to the radiation therapists and nurse patients expect to encounter while on treatment.

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