The new cancer center at Sidney Health Center is expected to provide many positives for the hospital and the community.

“We’re very excited about getting this moving,” Rick Haraldson, Sidney Health Center CEO, said. “You don’t get many opportunities like this. The mission for us is to bring people to their highest level of health and well-being.”

The board of directors approved the plan on a joint venture with Dr. Lyle Harrison, radiation oncologist, and Dr. Brett Bennion, ENT, to build a radiation oncology treatment center in Sidney. Harrison has been a radiation oncologist in Williston, N.D., for 12 years Harrison says while in Williston his patients were about half from North Dakota and half from Montana. Their hometowns included Watford City, N.D., Tioga, N.D., Crosby, N.D., Glasgow, Plentywood, Glendive, Culbertson,Wolf Point and Sidney.

Bennion points out providing such treatment is a great addition for Sidney Health Center and is invaluable for its patients. Often cancer patients must undergo radiation treatment daily for a six-week period. Having to travel as many as 250 miles roundtrip can add even more stress to the experience.

“It’s a tremendous additional trauma,” Bennion said.

With the cancer center, Sidney will provide the same treatment with high-tech equipment that patients see in much larger facilities.

Bennion said the cancer center doesn’t only make sense to provide the best quality health care possible, but the decision also makes sense economically for the hospital and entire community.

Harrison said, “It’s exciting for me to come to a hospital that’s community owned and has this type of advanced equipment.”

The new construction will include a 5,000-square foot addition with a radiation treatment room, a private outside entrance with a vehicle canopy and four oncology infusion rooms. Radiation Shielding Systems, New York, is the general project manager for the radiation and medical oncology expansion. The company will select the general contractor through a bid process. The building is expected to be completed in the spring.

“It’s been a very nice collaboration between the hospital, Dr. Bennion and myself,” Harrison said.

Starting in January, Harrison is expected to start seeing patients in Sidney.

“I love the rural health care model,” Harrison said. “Cancer doesn’t respect age, religion or where you live.”

Radiation therapy may be used to treat almost every type of tumor including those from the brain, lung, intestinal tract, gynecological, testicular, prostate, breast, bone, skin and soft tissues. Radiation can also be used to treat malignancies of the blood and lymphatic system. Approximately 60-70 percent of all cancer patients will be treated with radiation therapy.

Sidney Health Center currently provides outpatient medical oncology services including chemotherapy, education and support for referred patients and their families. Certified chemotherapy nurses deliver the prescribed chemotherapy and related medications in an outpatient setting.

The next closest radiation oncology services are in Minot, N.D., Bismarck, N.D.,Williston and Billings.

Harrison is expected to hire four area people for his office initially, with additional staff expected to be added later.

Officials agree that the cancer center will help Sidney Health Center’s recruitment efforts for other physicians. Harrison said he’s seen that effect in both Williston and Dickinson.

“A cancer center adds a bigger hospital feel,” Harrison said. “It’s always viewed very favorably.”

Haraldson added, “The more complex services available, as a physician you don’t feel you’re out on your own. It will definitely be more appealing.”

editor@sidneyherald.com