Hospital CEO: Cancer Center alignment with OU benefits community

Mar. 16—Editor's Note: This is the first in a series.

McAlester Regional Health Center CEO Shawn Howard says aligning the hospital's Cancer Center with the Oklahoma University Health Stephenson Cancer Center is absolutely the right thing to do.

"It will be better for the community," Howard told the News-Capital.

He maintains the transition will lead to expanded services, more treatment options and access to new treatments.

Howard's not the only one who thinks so.

So do four members of the MRHC Trust Authority Board who spoke to the News-Capital — and so does the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center.

Howard and MRCH previously announced the McAlester Hospital's joining the new OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center partnership, prompting doubts from some in the community that the partnership would ever happen. At the time, Howard said non-disclosure agreements prevented him from releasing further details.

Now, they no longer have to take Howard's word for it.

The OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is lauding the partnership too, stating that McAlester Regional Health Center has joined the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Network.

"OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is excited to welcome McAlester Regional Health Center to our cancer network," OU Health said in a statement.

"Our long-term vision and partnership is to bring research-driven cancer services to McAlester and the surrounding region with seamless integration between the clinic and hospital for better patient care."

The transition to joining the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center gives the McAlester hospital the opportunity to align itself with the only National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center in Oklahoma.

For now, the McAlester Cancer Center will begin temporarily operating Monday out of the third floor of the McAlester Regional Health Center.

That's because MRHC has extended the time limit until May 31 for the current tenants of the McAlester Cancer Cancer Center, the physician- owned Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, to leave the building.

Howard said it was OCSRI's choice to stop treating patients in McAlester on March 8, even though the time for OCSRI to leave the building had been extended until the end of May.

"We didn't know they were going to stop treatment on March 8," Howard said.

For now, the oncology clinic on the hospital's third floor will begin opening in stages.

"The first stage is establishing the oncologist clinic," Howard said. It includes the presence of an oncologist and establishing a chemical infusion program for those requiring chemotherapy treatments, he said.

MRHC is currently seeking to obtain the equipment required for radiation treatments, he said, after negotiations were unsuccessful in obtaining the one owned by OCSRI.

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center first earned the National Cancer Institute distinction in 2018 and renewed it in 2023.

"This highly competitive designation ensures that cancer patients in Oklahoma and the surrounding region have access to the most advanced treatment options," the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center stated in announcing the renewal of the NCI designation.

OU Health Stephenson also addressed some of the reasons for the sudden change at the current McAlester Cancer Center, tied to the departure of the group which previously operated the facility.

"The abrupt departure and lack of collaboration from the current oncology group in McAlester has created an unfortunate and rapid transition. We are disappointed in the lack of coordination from the oncology group, but are actively working with MRHC to ensure a seamless transition," the OU Health statement said.

"Cancer services are complex and high stakes for patients and their families. As always, OU Health is committed to offering high quality and safe services to the community and is looking forward to our partnership in McAlester," the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center stated.

"The Stephenson Cancer Center houses the state's largest clinical oncology practice, providing a unique resource for patients seeking patient-centered, research-driven, multidisciplinary care," according to the center's website.

"Annually the Stephenson provides treatment for 4,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients at its Oklahoma City and Norman locations. The Stephenson has more than a hundred cancer providers who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all types of cancer. Numerous supportive care services are available to help patients and caregivers address the mental, emotional and physical challenges of cancer," the statement continues.

"This team-based approach ensures that patients receive the highest level of care during their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Oncology services at the Stephenson are part of OU Health, Oklahoma's only academic health system and the state's largest network of physicians and specialty services."