NEBRASKA - Cancer patients in the center of Nebraska have historically had to travel long distances for access to specialized cancer care. Those trips can be especially hard not only on patients but on family members as well.

Patients in Kearney, Hastings, and Grand Island will now have access to the Nebraska Medicine cancer care closer to home. Heartland Hematology and Oncology in Kearney will join the Nebraska Medicine Health Network on Thursday, Dec. 16.

Cynthia Lewis, MD, and Nick Hartl, MD, lead Heartland Hematology and Oncology which is known as a place of hope, healing, and comfort. These characteristics will not change and they will continue to provide the best care possible for their patients and families.

Support from the entire Nebraska Medicine Health Network, including its team of disease-specific cancer specialists, will better allow them to provide care to existing patients and a wider range of potential patients.

Included in this expansion of care from the Nebraska Medicine Health Network are access to peer-reviewed tumor boards, opportunities for virtual care, and connections to the most advanced treatments available.

Signs reflecting the name change to "Nebraska Medicine Heartland Hematology and Oncology" will be going up in the coming weeks.

"We wanted a way to provide specialized cancer care to our patients in central Nebraska without having to send them three hours to Omaha. We believe our patients do best when they receive care close to home, family, and friends," said Dr. Lewis, hematologist/oncologist with the Kearney facility.

The facility will be the westernmost member of the Nebraska Medicine Health Network.

For the full article click HERE