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Facing a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Riverside Cancer Institute, we are committed to delivering compassionate, comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs.

 

From advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment plans to supportive services that address theKirstin Carson emotional and physical challenges of cancer, our multidisciplinary team is here to guide you every step of the way. Here, Kristin Carson, Director of Oncology and Infusion Services and Rheumatology Services, shares how Riverside is redefining what it means to provide whole-person cancer care, close to home.

 

Value of Same-Day Treatments and Procedures

Riverside Cancer Institute delivers comprehensive, high-quality cancer care close to home—comparable to what patients might receive at larger academic centers. The Institute emphasizes whole-person care by coordinating same-day treatments across specialties like radiation and medical oncology, minimizing the need for multiple trips.

 

While some advanced procedures like bone marrow or stem cell transplants may require referral to outside facilities, Riverside often handles both pre- and post-treatment care to ensure continuity and convenience for patients. “Being close to home is so important, especially for patients and their families,” states Carson.

“Cancer is a difficult journey, but traveling through it for many appointments and treatments is definitely not conducive to good care when you're not feeling well.”

Why a Multidisciplinary Approach Optimizes Outcomes

At Riverside Cancer Institute, professionals provide comprehensive support through a multidisciplinary team that addresses every aspect of a patient's care—physical, emotional, and financial. In addition to providers and nurses, the team includes radiation therapists, medical assistants, cancer navigators, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, lab techs, social workers, a dietician, pastoral care, and authorization specialists. This robust network ensures patients receive well-rounded, personalized support throughout their treatment journey.

 

Referrals are coordinated through a central team and a cancer navigator who review each patient’s records and location to ensure care is provided as close to home as possible. The entire care team rotates between sites to maintain consistent, high-quality care and ensure every patient receives the same level of support and education, regardless of location.

 

“Continuity of care at all sites helps us to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients, and that we're all practicing in the same manner,” notes Carson.

Let's Get You on the Road to Recovery, In a Comfortable Way

What makes Riverside Cancer Institute stand out? Key offerings include on-site, point-of-care lab testing and an in-house pharmacy at its treatment locations. This allows patients to have their blood drawn and results processed within an hour—helping providers quickly determine if it's safe to proceed with chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

 

If treatment is approved, the on-site pharmacy staff can immediately prepare infusion medications, significantly reducing wait times. In contrast, other centers often rely on off-site labs and pharmacies, leading to longer delays and less flexibility in care.

 

“We're very proud to minimize wait time and provide this level of service, all in the same-day,” explains Carson. “Many treatments are lengthy and at times leave patients not feeling well or very fatigued. We want to minimize their travel, their amount of appointments, and wait times so they can heal, be the safest in their treatment, and have the best journey they can while they are healing.”

Cutting-Edge Tech in Your Community

There is a misconception that top-tier cancer care requires traveling to Chicago. Carson emphasizes that Riverside Cancer Institute delivers the same high-quality treatment locally. The Institute follows nationally recognized guidelines—NCCN for chemotherapy and ASTRO for radiation—just like major academic centers.

 

Weekly protocol meetings ensure treatment plans are regularly updated to reflect best practices, including the use of advanced therapies like stereotactic surgery and brachytherapy. This approach ensures patients receive cutting-edge care close to home.

 

“Cancer treatment guidelines are continually changing and improving, and we are able to make quick changes to ensure top-level care for our patients in our communities,” assures Carson. “Riverside's administration is also really committed to cutting-edge technologies and therapies in cancer treatment, and I'm proud to say we continue to change and improve those technologies and guidelines in a quick manner so we can best treat our patients.”

At Riverside, It's Always a Family Atmosphere

The message is clear: Riverside Cancer Institute is deeply committed to serving patients and their families with compassionate, community-based care. Patients don’t need to travel to academic centers for top-tier treatment—many who seek second opinions are told they can receive the same care closer to home.

 

At Riverside, patients are treated like family, not just as diagnoses or case numbers. The team prioritizes convenience, comfort, and clinical excellence, supporting patients through every stage of their journey with empathy, respect, and shared celebration of every milestone.

 

“Each and every patient is important, and that is the care we give patients, the care they should expect to receive. I'm proud of our team. I'm proud to serve our communities in this role,” shares Carson.

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