Cancer Treatment

Yolanda G Barco Oncology Institute at Meadville Medical Center

It's never easy to learn that you or a loved one has a serious illness. And, learning that the illness is cancer is no exception. But we'd like you to know that cancer patient success stories are becoming more and more common. A comprehensive cancer care program, approved by the American College of Surgeons, is available in Meadville with the latest technology and physician specialists available. We have access to research and the most up-to-date treatment protocols.

Meadville Medical Center (MMC) is a member of the Association for Community Cancer Centers. We believe that cancer care is best delivered in a community setting. MMC is committed to your total care and support. Our team of healthcare professionals are experienced in counseling and educating patients, helping them understand and cope with their illness and its treatment. We encourage patients to participate as much as possible in their on-going care.

Learn how to reduce your risk for cancer by taking "The Defender" quiz.

Services:

• Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy
• Hematology
• Infusion Therapy – Including but not limited to Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s Disease, Thyroid Disease, Asthma, and Osteoporosis.
• Community Center Screenings in collaboration with other specialty physicians.
• Radiation Therapy
  • TruBeam Linear Accelerator with Robotic Positioning Table
  • 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT)
  • IMRT- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
  • SBRT-Stereotactic Body/Ablative Radiation Therapy (SBRT/SABR)
  • Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
  • Respiratory Gated & Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) Radiotherapy
  • Dedicated CT Simulator and Treatment Planning System with fully computerized treatment planning for delivering the highest level of precision radiation therapy to the target while minimizing side effects to surrounding normal tissue.
• TrueBeam System
• Meet Our Oncologists

A Team of Experts Who Care

Your care is coordinated by an interdisciplinary team of professionals including your family physician, surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, nurses, radiation therapists, social workers and other support staff. Cancer care conferences are held on a weekly basis as a formalized review and discussion of all cancer patients. This is an opportunity for physicians to get input from other physicians on the treatment of cancer patients. Our physicians specializing in the care of cancer are board certified medical oncologists and board certified radiation oncologists.

Our Staff:

• Registered Nurses certified in oncology
• Clinical Protocol Nurse
• Medical Physicists
• Certified Medical Dosimetrists
• Registered Radiation therapists
• Tumor Registrar
• Oncology Financial Navigator
• Social Worker
• Laboratory Technicians
• Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Technicians
• Patient Transportation
• Nutritional Counseling
• Psychosocial Counseling

Molly Samuels
Physician Assistant

Molly graduated from Alderson Broaddus College and NCCPA certified May 2003.

Work Experience includes-

• Rolling Fields Nursing Home 6/2003- 6/2006; managed care of 170 elders
• Cardiology Associates St Vincent 6/2006- 12/2006; both inpatient and outpatient setting
• Dr. Tangoren Dermatology Associates 1/2007 – 10/2008; both clinical and cosmetic
• YGOBI 11/2008 – present
• Amercian Cancer Society Leadership Council 2011- 2014; Secretary 2012- 2014
• Relay for Life Committee Member; Activities coordinator 2006-2011; continues to make free root beer floats for all Relay participants on Saturday after the Survivor lap 2006 – present

The nursing staff working with cancer patients has extensive specialized training. Registered nurses have been trained and are certified in the administration of chemotherapy. In addition to providing the highest quality medical care, the professional support staff is prepared to deal with the physical, psychological and social consequences that may arise as the result of cancer or its treatment.

Arrangements can be made through Meadville Medical Center to provide Psycho-social support, nutritional counseling, and pastoral care for individual needing these resources. Therapeutic dietitians provide private consultation to assist with special nutritional needs. Pharmacists, laboratory technicians and others are also available to assist in providing the total care of our patients and their families.

Our leaders bring years of oncology experience and compassion that set the foundation for Meadville Medical Center’s Patient-centered Oncology services. The combination of knowledge, skills, understanding, and compassion generate the highest quality cancer care. Our theme is carried throughout the organization and staff at Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute.

Diagnostic Services

State-of-the-art diagnostic services such as computerized tomography (CT) scanning and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning are available on site to help detect cancer in its earliest stages and/or diagnose the extent of the cancer.

The PET scanner is used primarily to:

1. Determine the spread of cancer in lymph nodes or other organs
2. Locate the primary source of cancer when it has already spread
3. Evaluate the response to tumor treatment

The MMC Radiology Department provides magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), computerized nuclear medicine equipment, ultrasound and mammography. Another asset to the department is access to the mammotome procedure. The mammotome enhances a women's alternative for a chance of less invasive breast biopsies. With the mammotome, breast biopsies are less invasive and most patients may return to their regular routine post-procedure.

Meadville Medical Center and our physicians recognize the importance of early detection in cancer care. To supplement your annual physical examination we offer programs such as low cost mammography, periodic free screenings for cancers such as prostate and skin and a special educational program and / or material on many types of cancer.

Contact Yolanda G. Barco Oncology Institute

Our facility is located at:

16792 Conneaut Lake Road
Meadville, Pa 16335
(814) 373-2335

Appointments by physician referral or self-referral for continuing care can be made by calling 814-373-2335.

The Yolanda G. Barco Institute is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our facility is located on the right-hand side of Route 322 Conneaut Lake Road heading westbound toward Conneaut Lake. It is situated off the road between the McDonald's and Red Lobster restaurants, across from One Vernon Place. Parking is in the front of the building. As patients enter the building, they will see the reception desk, which is immediately to the left.