About Our Team
Teamwork is essential to providing effective, personalized cancer treatment and support. Our care team provides a team-based approach that includes you, your support system, and everyone involved in your cancer treatment and well-being.
Our team of specialists and support staff are here to treat your cancer and ease your journey through diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. Depending on your diagnosis, your Munson care team may include:
Gynecologic Oncology
Gynecologic oncology specializes in diagnosing and treating cancers of the female reproductive organs including cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. Gynecologic oncologists have completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency and then pursued sub-specialty training through a gynecologic oncology fellowship, which includes surgical, chemotherapeutic, radiation, and research techniques that are important to providing the best care for these types of cancer.
Medical Hematology/Oncology
Medical oncologists diagnose cancer, choose the appropriate medical treatments (including chemotherapy), provide follow-up care, and coordinate palliative care to help ease patient symptoms.
Radiation Oncology
Radiation oncologists specialize in the treatment of cancer using radiation therapy. Radiation treatment can be done alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation oncology also may be used to relieve cancer-related symptoms.
Oncology Pharmacy
Oncology pharmacists are integral members of the oncology team. These pharmacists are dedicated to oncology and are actively engaged in patient care. Working collaboratively with the medical team, oncology pharmacists ensure accurate, individualized patient dosing, safety checks, and adherence to treatment plans and schedules. In addition, pharmacists participate in tumor board and cancer research and serve as preceptors for pharmacy students and residents. The oncology pharmacists are available as an informational resource to providers, staff, patients, and family members.
Oncology Nurse Practitioners
A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed advanced education (a minimum of a master’s degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common medical conditions, including cancer. Nurse practitioners have advanced training in cancer care and work closely with Munson oncologists. Munson Healthcare is fortunate to have nurse practitioners who provide timely care, education, and support for patients with cancer throughout the system.
Surgical Team
Surgeons are physicians who specialize in the treatment of cancer through surgical intervention. Surgery may be done alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Surgery may also be used to relieve symptoms caused by cancer or may be consulted for certain types of biopsies to confirm a cancer diagnosis.
Oncology Certified Nurses (OCN)
Because of rapid scientific and technological advances in cancer care, nurses must maintain current and highly specialized knowledge to provide quality care. Oncology nursing certification provides validation of the specialized knowledge necessary to effectively provide care to patients experiencing the complex problems associated with a diagnosis of cancer throughout the disease continuum. Infusion nurses are required to be chemotherapy certified. Munson Healthcare is proud to employ a team that includes many highly skilled OCN registered nurses.
Business Support Team
From scheduling your initial appointment to coordinating testing, treatment, and follow-up, our team of caring, well trained administrative staff is available to assist you by assuring a smooth welcome and introduction to your Oncology Care Team and the oncology program.
Multidisciplinary Care
A multidisciplinary team includes members from different healthcare professions with specialized skills and expertise. Members of each team collaborate to make treatment recommendations that promote quality patient care. Multidisciplinary care focuses on both the physical and psychological needs of the person diagnosed with cancer. Ask your Munson Healthcare Team about multidisciplinary programs that may be available for your type of cancer.
- Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program (MTOP)
- Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Conference
- General Tumor Conference
- Genitourinary Conference
- Social Worker
- Genetic Counselor
- Dietitian
- Palliative Care
- Physiatry - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Inpatient Care Unit − Munson Medical Center
If hospitalization is needed, our inpatient cancer care unit in Traverse City is staffed with dedicated healthcare providers who are certified and educated in cancer nursing, chemotherapy, nutrition, social work, and other aspects of cancer care.
The inpatient setting also offers Integrative Medicine. This combines traditional treatment with complementary therapies used during inpatient cancer care to promote physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. Cancer patients are offered massage, therapeutic touch, pet therapy, art therapy, stress management, music therapy, and spiritual guidance to complement their treatment.
Navigation and Support
Throughout the Munson Healthcare system coordinators, primary nurses, nurse practitioners, financial navigators, and other support staff may be available to help patients “navigate” their way from the day they receive a cancer diagnosis, throughout treatment, and beyond.
Cancer Genetics − Cowell Family Cancer Center
Cancer is a common disease that touches many lives. Sometimes, certain types of cancer seem to run in some families. But only a small portion of all cancers are inherited. Clues to an inherited predisposition to cancer may include an early age diagnosis, multiple family members with cancer, or more than one cancer diagnosis in a person’s lifetime. We can answer your questions about an inherited predisposition to cancer. Munson Healthcare’s Cancer Genetics Clinic offers Board Certified counseling by highly skilled Advance Practice Nurse Practitioners.
Cancer Research − Cowell Family Cancer Center
Clinical trials are research studies used to develop better ways for detecting, treating, and preventing cancer. By taking part in a clinical trial, you may be among the first to receive new treatments before they become widely available. Your participation will influence the future direction of cancer care. Munson Medical Center has participated in cancer clinical trials for over 30 years as a member institution of a program sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. This program offers patients in our community the ability to participate in large, national research trials while remaining at home.
Cancer Psychosocial Services
The role of the oncology social worker is to provide support and counseling to patients, families, and caregivers dealing with challenges of illness. This could include psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual issues that people face during cancer. The social worker is trained to provide insight, tools, and practical assistance; this includes finding resources, and helping with complex needs, such as adjusting to an illness, battling depression, anxiety and/or insomnia, dealing with transitions and decision-making, navigating cultural issues, and advanced care planning, as well as communicating with family members, friends, and healthcare providers. A social worker will meet with patients and family members individually and/or as a family, facilitates oncology support groups and education groups, and works as part of the oncology care team.