IRON MOUNTAIN – For more than 20 years, Dickinson County Healthcare System and Green Bay Oncology have had an agreement that supported locally accessible cancer treatment services.

As a satellite location, the Green Bay Oncology Clinic supplied their own chemotherapy medication, maintained their own medical records, and billed patients for their services. Dickinson County Healthcare System worked with Green Bay Oncology to lease them space and staffing for their satellite clinic.

Dickinson County Healthcare System was recently notified by Green Bay Oncology that they would not be renewing their current lease agreement effective May 27.

“Given the long-term tenure that Green Bay Oncology has had with us here at Dickinson, we are all saddened by their departure from the community,” commented Peg Freeman, director of physician services. “The providers have been exceptional with our patients, and we are definitely disappointed about losing Dr. Burnette and Darcy.”

Green Bay Oncology and Dickinson County Healthcare System remain very committed to transitioning patients to an oncologist of their choice. Should a patient currently receiving care from Green Bay Oncology desire to remain local, the staff of Dickinson Hematology/Oncology Clinic will be available to assist in getting an appointment scheduled and records transferred.

Dr. Gustavo Morel is ready to accept new patients. Dr. Morel has been providing medical oncology services locally since 2001. His practice was most recently acquired from U.P .Health System-Marquette and was renamed Dickinson Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Located in Suite 315 of the Dickinson Medical Building, arrangements to transfer care can be made by calling 776-5890.

“Dr. Morel and Michelle Morel, a certified physician assistant, are both highly educated and experienced in their field of medical oncology. They are well respected by their colleagues and have been members of our Medical Staff for the past 14 years,” commented Freeman.

“They are both very compassionate people. Patients requiring radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan can continue to receive their treatments locally at Dickinson Memorial Hospital. Dr. John Simmons will coordinate care with whomever a patient chooses as their oncologist,” she added.

Dickinson Hematology/Oncology Clinic is part of a broader cancer program available that includes the Dickinson Radiation Oncology Clinic, which recently welcomed Dr. John Simmons, a new full-time, Dickinson employed radiation oncologist board certified by both the American Board of Radiology and the American Osteopathic College of Radiology.

Complete diagnostic and treatment services are locally available. Darla Hanson, RN, nurse navigator is responsible for connecting cancer patients with services close to home. She can be reached at 776-5978.