Agreement Brings Advanced Oncology Care to Residents of Far West Suburbs, Broadens Access to Research
Loyola University Health System (Loyola) and Central DuPage Hospital (CDH) have entered into a 10-year agreement that brings medical oncologists from Loyola’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Maywood, to CDH to provide care at the Winfield hospital.
“This is a major step in Central DuPage Hospital becoming a destination hospital for cancer services,” said Luke McGuinness, CDH chief executive officer.
The Loyola Cancer Care & Research Services at Central DuPage Hospital offers the latest technology and techniques to area residents who have cancer. Access to clinical studies and investigational drugs are among the benefits provided for patients under the new agreement. The program is located in expanded facilities at the Central DuPage Hospital campus, East Building, 25 N. Winfield Road, Winfield.
Lucio Di Nunno, MD, is the Loyola faculty member appointed as medical director of oncology services, and recruitment efforts are ongoing to bring a Loyola physician research director to CDH’s campus as well. Kenneth Micetich, MD, Kevin Barton, MD, and Laura Horvath, MD, all experienced faculty in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, also will have a presence at CDH.
"We are pleased to bring academic research and care to complement the high-quality care at CDH and to further our mission of broadening access to our world-class services and leading-edge research," said LUHS President and CEO Paul K. Whelton, MB, MD, MSc. "Now, patients from the far western suburbs can enjoy the comforts of their home hospital as they benefit from the evidence-based care brought by specialists from Loyola," Whelton added.
An onsite clinical research team will ensure that eligible patients have the chance to participate in clinical trials. In addition, in recent years, Loyola physician-researchers have focused on genetic testing and tailored therapies for cancer. “We at CDH are happy to offer our patients this type of leading edge research and clinical techniques here in the community,” said McGuinness.
Cancer care at Loyola also is known for its commitment to look “beyond the disease” and to provide a care plan that considers a patient’s work, family, and needs for emotional support and education. “The physicians and researchers at Loyola’s cancer center have always been committed to whole-person care, ensuring that our patients receive the full benefit of an academic medical center,” said Dr. Patrick J. Stiff, professor of medicine and pathology, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and director of Loyola’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.
Loyola’s cancer program was ranked among the top 50 in the nation by USNews & World Report in 2007 and has held that ranking three times in the past four years.