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Minnesota Oncology News                                                                             April 2016
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RisingStars2016Five Minnesota Oncology Physicians Named Rising Stars


Five Minnesota Oncology doctors are physicians-to-watch, according to  Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.

In the April issue, the magazine released its second annual list of Twin Cities' Top Doctors-Rising Stars, which recognizes five Minnesota Oncology physicians. To be selected for inclusion the list, the doctors must have been practicing for 10 years or less. Each physician named to the list was chosen by their peers in the field.

Congratulations to the following 2016 Rising Stars from Minnesota Oncology!


Stephanie Krejcarek Childs, MD
Radiation Oncology
Maplewood Cancer Center

Matthew Graczyk, MD
Thoracic Oncology/ Surgery
Minneapolis Clinic


Jocelin Huang, MD
Medical Oncology & Hematology
Chaska & Edina Clinics

Nisha Jacobs, MD
Medical Oncology &
Hematology
Coon Rapids Clinic

Kiran Lassi, MD
Medical Oncology & Hematology
Coon Rapids Clinic

NHDD2016
National Healthcare Decisions Day is April 16


April 16 has been designated National Healthcare Decisions Day!  This is a collaborative effort to help ensure all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare wishes. The goal is to improve the ability of healthcare facilities and providers to offer informed and thoughtful guidance about advance care planning to their patients, and reduce the instances when a person's wishes are unknown.

Advance care planning is for anyone, healthy or sick, and helps ensure a person receives the care he or she desires in the future. They are only used to direct care when an individual is no longer able to express their wishes, and the document can be updated at any time.

In addition to working with patients to best treat their illness, we believe it is also important to understand what's important to them and their family. The more we understand our patient's priorities, the better we can help them make treatment decisions that are right for them. That is why Minnesota Oncology is proud to participate in National Healthcare Decisions Day.  We encourage all of our providers and staff to complete their own advance directive so that we may be better equipped to answer questions and assist patients in completing their advance directive. 

Through our  My Choices, My Wishes program, we can provide support and guidance to patients in completing an advance directive. Appointments can be requested through the  patient portal or by phone. It always seems too early, until it's too late so don't delay any longer. Start the conversation with your loved ones today!

NewSocialWorkerMinnesota Oncology Welcomes New Social Worker

Nicole Reitsma
Minnesota Oncology is pleased to announce that Nicole Reitsma, LGSW, has joined our practice. Nicole will be providing social work services to patients at our Coon Rapids, Fridley, Edina, Minneapolis and Plymouth locations. 
 
Reitsma was previously at Mayo Clinic on the inpatient hematology and oncology floor.  She brings great experience working with cancer patients to Minnesota Oncology.

"I am most looking forward to being able to provide education to patients and families on what a social worker can do for them, and what resources are available to them," Reitsma said. "The stress of going through treatment can be overwhelming for many, so I'm looking forward to helping take some of that burden away."
HopeinMotion2016Join Us to Celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day at Hope in Motion 2016!


Hope in Motion, Minnesota's National Cancer Survivors Day Celebration presented by Minnesota Oncology, is scheduled for Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Phalen Regional Park in St. Paul. Join us for a family-friendly celebration of all those who have faced a cancer diagnosis.  Hope in Motion includes a 5K Run/Walk, 1-Mile Family Walk, Kids Dash, speakers, entertainment, survivor resources, and more while raising funds for Angel Foundation

Learn more and register here .
RacefortheCUre2016Join Minnesota Oncology's Race for the Cure Team


Join Minnesota Oncology staff and providers at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Sunday, May 8 at Southdale Center. Join our team by registering here and choosing "Team Registration". Our team name is MINNESOTA ONCOLOGY.
RiceBagFridleyHonoring a Mother and Friend in Fridley

Earlier this month, these thoughtful young ladies donated 100 rice bags to patients at Minnesota Oncology's Fridley Clinic in honor of patient Mary Elizabeth Brown, who fought cancer on and off for 11 years. The rice bags are warmed up for patients to provide added warmth and comfort during cancer treatments.

"Today, we stand as a testimony to the love Mrs. Brown had for her children and the love God has shown our church for 100 years as we hand our 100 turtles to cancer patients for Redeemer Lutheran Church's 100 Acts of Service," they said. "Our hope is that when patients hold them close, the warmth reminds them of how much they are loved and that they are not alone in this fight. We pray for peace, strength, and comfort during their battle."
PatientStories
Minnesota Oncology Seeks Patient Stories


Minnesota Oncology will be adding a "Patient Stories" section to our website, and we are looking for current or past patients willing to share their story of their cancer journey. Please fill out this survey if you are willing to share your story, and we will follow up with you soon:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T9KHX3K
CampAngel Camp Angel Registration is Now Open!

Camp Angel
Camp Angel (previously Kids Kamp) provides three days of therapeutic activities for children and teens (Kindergarten-18) with a parent or caregiver who has or has had cancer. Camp provides a unique opportunity for children and teens to have fun and enjoy camp activities, along with intentional and meaningful activities lead by trained volunteers and staff. For more information, or to register, visit our website at:  http://www.mnangel.org/fct/campangel