ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba’s OSF St. Francis Hospital has opened its new cancer clinic, which offers more space and services than ever.
“We had a high increase of patients just after COVID, lots of new cancer cases,” said OSF Oncology Clinic Manager Amanda Jo Kleikamp. “We needed to expand our space so we could provide better care for our patients.”
The new Daniel J. Kobasic Cancer Clinic houses five exam rooms and ten infusion bays, where staff provide expanded oncology and hematology services.
“Anything from chemotherapy or immunotherapy infusions and treatment, IV infusions and injections, iron infusions, therapeutic phlebotomies, blood product transfusions—the list goes on,” Kleikamp said.
Oncology services are a collaboration with Green Bay Oncology, which has been partnering with OSF since 1994.
“They allow us to have their providers here in our office,” said Kleikamp. “They’re advanced practice providers that are here every day of the week.”
The updated clinic also has new ways to help patients feel comfortable, like large windows at each infusion bay and technological devices.
“Patients can be here anywhere from an hour a day to eight hours a day,” Kleikamp said. “In an effort to give them something to do, we have iPads now for patient use that have streaming capabilities, social media platforms they can go on. They can also see their OSF MyChart results right on that iPad just as they’re getting treatment.”
The expansion was primarily funded by a $1 million gift from the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation, as well as $1.5 million in federal funds awarded through a government funding bill supported by Senator Gary Peters. As the only cancer clinic within Delta County, Kleikamp believes it is an important investment in the community.
“This is huge to be able to get those services here close to home so patients don’t have to travel great distances to get this care,” she said.
Kleikamp says the Daniel J. Kobasic Cancer Clinic is dedicated to ensuring each person facing a cancer diagnosis has the best experience possible throughout their treatment.
“I want them to feel like they’re getting the best care that they possibly can, that if there is something above and beyond that we can’t provide here, we’ll connect them with the avenues that they need to get that care,” she said.
The Cancer Clinic takes referrals following screening exams and from primary care physicians, but prospective patients are welcome to visit the clinic at 3501 Ludington Street to inquire about available services. Call (906) 233-4140 or click here for more information.
