Cancer patients in Gem County will no longer have to travel out of town for chemotherapy and oncology consultations. Valor Health has reintroduced cancer care services to its Emmett campus, offering local treatment options through a new partnership with Intermountain Health.
The hospital’s new cancer care center began serving patients in late October, restoring a service line that had been unavailable for nearly eight years.
“We decided to bring the service line back here because that way our patients can get the cancer care they need without having to go over the hill,” said Staci Hartline, specialty clinic manager. “They’ll be able to stay close to home and their loved ones while still connecting with top specialists in their field.”
The hospital previously offered infusion and chemotherapy services but discontinued them when it lacked the facilities to safely mix medications. According to Kathy Prindle, executive director of clinical services, that changed when Valor Health built a new pharmacy capable of compounding chemotherapy drugs on site.
“We built a new pharmacy that we could mix all those types of infusions and chemicals, and have on our hood and bigger space,” Prindle said. “With that being built, we brought that service line back.”
The new program connects local patients with oncologists from Intermountain Health through a telemedicine system. Valor Health’s clinical staff — including oncology-certified nurses, nurse practitioners and a nutritionist — will support patients in person during their appointments and treatments.
Although the oncologists will meet with patients virtually, the hospital emphasized that local providers will remain closely involved.
“There won’t actually be an oncologist on site, but we let them know, we have doctors and other providers, nurse practitioners here who can help if anything is needed for cancer care,” said Lisa Mayerhofer, an infusion nurse.
Mayerhofer added that patients already receiving chemotherapy elsewhere have expressed excitement about receiving care locally.
Valor Health staff said the telehealth partnership helps meet the challenges faced by rural hospitals that lack on-site specialists. Executive Director of Physician Services Matt Godfrey said the partnership with Intermountain Health is part of a broader strategy to maintain critical access to care for local residents.
“When you’re going through something like cancer, you want to be able to have access close by,” Godfrey said.
Valor Health’s cancer care currently offers infusion therapy, chemotherapy education and telehealth consultations. Each patient undergoes a virtual “Chemo 101” session before starting treatment to learn what to expect.
In addition, a $3,000 donation was made by community members Barbara and Marty Huguenin, which went toward establishing a new care center room for patients. According to Prindle, the room was specially designed to create a “warm environment” for those receiving treatment.
“I hope it makes it more convenient for the local community,” Barbara Huguenin said. “With what little bit Valor Health can provide for our community without going over the hill, I just think that is unbelievable.”