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on 6/17/2020
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St. Anthony Regional Hospital is pleased to announce Lori Pietig has been named the organization’s first-ever cancer services director. Pietig, who has served St. Anthony for more than 16 years, will transition to her new role this summer. As cancer services director, Pietig will oversee operations of the St. Anthony Regional Cancer Center; work directly with referring physicians and staff to deliver high quality, compassionate care to cancer patients; and unify the radiation oncology and medical oncology departments that currently operate independently, to grow and expand cancer services for the region.
“It is a tremendous honor to be the first in this role,” Pietig said. “I am so proud to work for an organization that is investing in the future of west central Iowa – it’s a gift to our region. While we continue to hope for a cure, we recognize this is our opportunity to provide the best technology and medical advancements to give our friends and neighbors a chance to fight their cancer battle with dignity and respect. It’s so important for our patients to have the opportunity to receive cancer treatment close to home; we can give them the opportunity to live their best life, without wasting precious time traveling.”
A native of Carroll, Pietig began her career at St. Anthony in 2004 as a registered radiologic technologist. She took on the role of director of radiology in 2013, where she has served for the past seven years. Pietig has a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Bellevue University and a bachelor’s degree in medical imaging from Clarkson College. She initially chose the field of radiology due to her passion for patient care and interest in technology, specifically new equipment and interfaces, both qualities that make her a great fit for the role of cancer services director.
“We are thrilled that Lori accepted the cancer service director position,” said Mark Westberg, M.D., Medical Oncologist “We have worked with her for a long time in her role as radiology director and have been very impressed with her work there. She has a real love for Carroll and the people in the community, and I am certain she will do everything she can to make the cancer center a success.”
“It has been a pleasure to have worked with Ms. Pietig over the last several years. She has such dedication to helping the Carroll community thrive and has been a part of the planning of this center from the beginning,” said Randal Hess M.D., St. Anthony Radiation Oncologist. “She has proven herself to be an accomplished and competent leader who will bring exuberance to this center. She embraces innovation and new technology and has experience in implementing those changes. She is a perfect fit.”
“Being born and raised in Carroll, I have a strong connection to the individuals the new cancer center will serve and the needs of our area,” Pietig said. “Our number one focus is to provide the most exceptional patient care experience while continuously searching for ways to best serve our region with treatment options. Working in a community where your friends and loved ones live can be difficult as a medical professional, because you may be with people during their most challenging time in life. Yet when we know it will be our family, friends and neighbors we are caring for at the cancer center, it becomes our life’s work to provide the best care possible.”
The nearly 21,000-square-foot St. Anthony Regional Cancer Center is scheduled to open in December 2020. Additional state-of-the art technology and services will complement the hospital’s current cancer service offerings that have been available to west central Iowans for more than a century.
“We will have one of the nicest facilities in the state of Iowa,” Dr. Hess said. “We will be able to provide a level of delivery of treatment that would rival an academic center.”
The cancer center will offer comprehensive cancer care, including access to oncology specialists, oncology certified nurses, advanced treatment options, leading-edge technology and a full range of resources. Cancer services include: radiation therapy and medical oncology, chemotherapy, surgery oncology treatment and support resources for patients and their families. Two additional new positions have been added, including a nurse navigator, who helps patients coordinate the treatment process, and a financial navigator, who assists patients and families with insurance and pharmaceutical companies, programs, gas cards and further support.
“Each year, we see 1,100 new cancer diagnosis in our 10-county service area,” Dr. Hess said. “That means approximately 9,500 people are living with cancer and are either in treatment or remission. We owe it to our region to provide the highest quality cancer services, and I am proud to say we are leading the state in that endeavor.”
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