Expert Cancer Care in Northern Michigan
The Munson Healthcare Regional Cancer Network provides consistent, high quality cancer care in locations throughout northern Michigan. Cancer care is delivered close to home in Cadillac, Charlevoix, Gaylord, Grayling, Manistee, and Traverse City. Munson Healthcare oncologists hold clinics in local communities so patients can stay close to home for consultations and follow-up care.
Quality Achievements
Commission on Cancer
Munson Medical Center/Cowell Family Cancer Center is accredited by the Commission on Cancer (CoC). This accreditation by the American College of Surgeons acknowledges adherence to recommended national treatment guidelines and services available to our patients.
Quality standards established by the CoC for cancer programs ensure:
National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
Munson Healthcare’s Smith Family Breast Health Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). The three-year recognition is a program of the American College of Surgeons. Accreditation by the NAPBC is only given to those centers that voluntarily commit to providing the highest quality breast care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation and review of their performance.
GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer
All hospitals within Munson Heathcare are designated as Screening Centers of Excellence by the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer. To receive this designation, each hospital has to follow best practices for lung screening quality, radiation dosage, and diagnosing by the American College of Radiology (ACR), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP).
Cancer Care in the Hospital
Inpatient cancer care is provided at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. A beautiful 24-bed cancer unit opened in December 2017, giving patients and families more space and privacy, as well as lovely, healing surroundings.
The cancer care team works closely with patients and families throughout treatment, involving them in each decision. With a focus on quality care, special emphasis is placed on caregiving, teaching, and treatment.
Integrative medicine combines traditional treatment with complementary therapies and is used during inpatient cancer care to promote physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. Cancer patients are offered massage, yoga, therapeutic touch, art therapy, stress management, music therapy, and spiritual guidance to complement their treatment.
A Team of Experts
Our multidisciplinary cancer team is made up of board-certified, fellowship-trained specialists, specialty-trained nurses, certified technologists, and dedicated support staff.
We understand that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. We will surround you with expert clinical care, but also with all of the mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial guidance and support you may need.
Cancer is complicated. It is life threatening, and yet it can be curable. It causes stress, yet it sparks a different outlook on life. We are here to offer you help, hope, and healing.
Our Partners
Patients of all ages in northern Michigan benefit from our strong relationship with two outstanding partners.
Michigan Medicine
Munson Medical Center and Michigan Medicine work together to enhance the quality of oncology services available in our region for rare and complicated diseases. This collaboration improves patient access to high quality and cutting-edge medical treatment and clinical research opportunities.
Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital - Pediatric Oncology
Northern Michigan children with cancer can be seen locally through a partnership with the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids that conducts clinics at our Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City. Consultations for diagnosis and treatment continue to occur in Grand Rapids, while local clinics provide routine check-ups, blood draws, and re-examinations in a standardized, coordinated manner. Children also receive a portion of their chemotherapy at our Infusion Clinic. These clinics allow DeVos pediatric hematology and oncology specialists to see patients in Traverse City, reducing some of the travel time for the children and their families.