2004 was another year of significant change in radiation oncology within the Willmar Cancer Center. Continued development and implementation of image guided radiation therapy, along with more sophisticated computer treatment planning software, has brought about increased precision and treatment efficacy for many of our patients. Our first Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) treatments were given in March and the use of this treatment modality is now the standard therapy for a number of cancers. We continue to demonstrate good clinical outcomes and our care is state-of-the-art.

2004 was also the beginning of a new focus on patient satisfaction. We have always prided ourselves in providing good care that meets more than just the clinical needs of our patients. In 2004, we implemented a patient satisfaction survey process for our radiation oncology patients to measure how well we are doing and to gain valuable feedback from patients and families about the things we can do better. We are using a national survey tool provided by a company called Press Ganey, which the hospital has been using for its inpatients, emergency room patients and selected outpatient departments since 2003. For radiation oncology, this survey tool allows us to compare our performance with 150 other radiation oncology centers throughout the country. I am pleased to report that our staff is achieving high marks, with a ranking in the 77th percentile nationally for overall patient satisfaction. That puts us solidly in the top third of the radiation oncology programs in the country using the Press Ganey survey. Our goal is to be at or above the 90th percentile overall and we will be working hard to make this happen over the months to come.

We treated 292 new patients in 2004, coming to us from 16 counties in West Central and Southwest Minnesota. Interestingly, only one third of our radiation patients came from Kandiyohi County in 2004. This demonstrates the importance of our program to the region in providing access to this kind of treatment, without having to travel long distances on a daily basis during the typical 5 - 6 week treatment period. We look forward being of service to the region in the years to come and continuing to adapt our program both clinically and operationally to best meet the needs of area residents.

Lawrence J. Massa, CEO
Rice Memorial Hospital