New Heitz Radiation Oncology Center

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

Posted: March 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 opening at St. Mary’s Ozaukee Hospital in Mequon this spring,” 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 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 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 new 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 will be a reference site for General Electric Medical Systems and Varian 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; Varian makes the linear accelerators used for treatment.

The scanners localize tumors and local tissue, in order that medical personnel know exactly where the tumor ends and healthy tissues and structures begin. That way, they can 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 medial 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 will also provide acupuncture, nutritional counseling, psychotherapeutic services, plus pet and music therapy programs in addition to the radiation therapists and nurses patients expect to encounter while on treatment.

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