Dr. Boente

Minnesota Oncology is proud to announce that two of our surgeons, Dr. Matthew Boente (gynecologic surgery) and Dr. Matthew Graczyk (thoracic surgery), have been appointed to serve on the inaugural Surgical Executive Committee for the U.S. Oncology Network.

This committee was created to advise the National Policy Board on issues specific to the surgical services 

provided by the members of the network.  

Dr. Graczyk

This group of more than 100 surgeons comes from multiple disciplines including surgical oncology, breast surgical oncology, thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery, gynecologic oncology, urology, and orthopedic oncology. Such diversity creates exceptional opportunities within the U.S. Oncology Network in helping to integrate surgical care as part of the multidisciplinary approach to cancer management.

The annual Twin Cities Breast Cancer Education Conference on October 11 at the Saint Paul River Centre featured Minnesota Oncology physician Dr. Barbara Bowers (medical oncology) who presented on the topic "Knowledge is Power: Updates in Oncology."  This was a special day devoted to learning, supporting, sharing, encouraging and communicating with those in our community whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer.

Angela Stephens, RD, LD is the newest member of the dietitian staff at Minnesota Oncology and will serve patients at our Burnsville, Edina and Minneapolis clinics. Her goal is to promote positive clinical outcomes by developing nutrition regimens that prevent and lessen the short- and long-term side effects of therapy.

"I believe that nutrition plays a vital role in helping our patients complete treatment and prevent recurrence of disease," she said. "I want all of my patients to find enjoyment in their food and use it to their advantage to beat cancer."

Thank you, Dr. Matthew Graczyk, for taking one for the team in October! His willingness to take a pie in the face drew attention to Lung Cancer Awareness Month.  

When a parent has cancer, teen children often take on additional responsibilities such as cooking, shopping, cleaning and driving. Teens may drop out of their social activities due to the added responsibility, thus increasing their anxiety and sense of isolation.

Angel Foundation's Teen Outreach program provides reprieve from this stress and a place where teens can interact with peers who are having similar experiences. All activities are free to teens who have a parent with cancer. The events focus on exploring and building individual strengths and resilience with the support of peers and mentors.

Montana Jackson has participated in several of Angel Foundation's teen activities, including recording and performing music, photography and more.

"Everything just fell apart," says Montana after her mother was diagnosed first with breast cancer and then with cervical cancer. "There was a big elephant in the room, and we just didn't know how to do anything around it. So Angel Foundation stepped in and got our family back together. Now we have a closer relationship than we've ever had before."

Upcoming free Angel Foundation Teen Outreach events include:

• Nov. 15: Game Day, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Teens will gather at Brunswick Zone XL in Eden Prairie for bowling, a giant game room, laser tag, billiards, and pizza.
• Dec. 20: Teen Winter Party, noon-3 p.m. A day of ice skating and hot cocoa at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis.
• Jan. 20, 27 and Feb. 10, 17: Teen Photography Series, 6-8 p.m. at the Angel Foundation office. In this four-week art series, a professional photographer will teach teens how to tell a story through photography in the form of a modernized self portrait.

For more information or to register for Angel Foundation Teen Outreach activities, contact Dan Mundt at [email protected] or 612-627-9000.