Hometown Cancer Care Now More Complete

Familiar faces and a place close to home mean a lot when you’re going through cancer treatment. For nearly 30 years, the CHI St. Alexius Health Leonard P. Nelson Cancer Center in Williston has been a beacon of hope for those in the region facing cancer.

Expanding Cancer Care Services

While our team has always provided radiation oncology and infusions, we’ve recently taken significant steps to become a truly complete destination for cancer care by adding a dedicated nurse practitioner and a full-time medical oncologist who practices on-site and solely for CHI St. Alexius Health.

This is a major shift from depending on visiting providers who were not employed providers to cover the oncology service in partnership with another organization. Now, our Cancer Center can provide truly comprehensive cancer care close to home.

It’s wonderful news for our community. Having these services right here in Williston eliminates the need to travel 120 miles or more for cancer care. That can be a major hardship, not just financially but also because treatments can cause fatigue and other side effects.

New Medical Oncologist

The addition of a full-time, dedicated medical oncologist means the Cancer Center can now offer appointments onsite, a convenience especially important for patients who may be feeling weak or fatigued. The Cancer Center also offers a wider range of services, including non-malignant hematology, which is essential for women with anemia during pregnancy and individuals with anemia due to bone marrow issues. With as many as 60 babies delivered each month at our hospital, there’s always a handful of moms with anemia issues who need this kind of care. 

Improved Access and Capacity

With the improved access and capacity, the Cancer Center is now welcoming more patients, including any and every cancer diagnosis, and acute anemias come to us once they are stabilized. We are able to partner with Mayo Clinic and other cancer centers, allowing patients to receive treatment in Williston after initial consultation is completed. This is often a pleasant surprise for patients.

The Cancer Center has long been committed to providing cutting-edge technology and treatments. Through his generous endowment, Leonard P. Nelson has funded many wonderful things, including our first linear accelerator. Here you’ll find the same leading technologies as bigger city centers, including:

• Digital PET CT system that provides high-quality imaging and speeds up scans.
• New scalp cooling technology that helps patients reduce hair loss during chemotherapy treatment.
• Radiation therapy treatment planning system for truly individualized care.
• Specialized pharmacy equipment and storage ensure the highest standards for quality and purity of medications.

When patients ring the bell for their last treatment at our Cancer Center, the moment can be bittersweet because our team often feels like family. The staff are committed health care experts with as much as 20+ years of experience. This dedication, coupled with our expanded services, ensures patients who’ve received the difficult diagnosis of cancer can receive exceptional care from familiar faces close to home.