Center at Southwest Regional to close
WAYNESBURG – In January 2010, Southwest Regional Medical Center opened its Hematology and Oncology Center on the first floor of the hospital. On Jan. 31, the center will close.
Cindy Cowie, chief executive officer of Southwest Regional Medical Center, said Thursday, “Offering this service for our community has been such an honor. However, the tremendous uncertainty in the world of health care reform has required us to make changes like this to help provide for the best future for Southwest Regional Medical Center and the delivery of care in Greene County.
“We are at a pivotal crossroads with even more changes coming our way. These changes include cuts in Medicare, a struggling economy, changes in some insurance classifications (which reduce payment to just one-third of what we previously received for the same level of care) and changes in how we, as a nation, will administer healthcare,” she said.
She said SRMC has done everything to ensure a smooth transition for the patients. “There are many wonderful treatment centers in the region, and we have faith that those impacted will continue to receive outstanding care. Anyone in need of medical records can get a copy by calling 724-627-1953.”Cowie dismissed any speculation and concern that the closing of the center is reflective on the overall future of the hospital. “Please do not be concerned. We are committed to moving our hospital forward and believe the changes we have made will allow us to be successful for many years to come.”
When the Hematology and Oncology Center opened, it fell under the leadership of of Dr. Mudussara Khan, hematologist and oncologist. Khan completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at West Virginia University School of Medicine and is board certified in internal medicine.
Figures released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health show that in 2006, Greene County saw 236 confirmed cancer cases, and more than 100 deaths resulted from these cancers. The top three cancer concerns in Greene County are colon, lung and breast cancer.
A few of the treatments offered at the center include chemotherapy, biological agents, injections for anemias and growth factors, iron infusions, immunoglobulins, therapeutic phlebotomies and bone marrow biopsies. The center offered IV chemotherapy, but did not perform radiation therapy.