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Hematology and Oncology Associates (MIHOA) work diligently to u

the latest treatment information along with in-depth care to make

each patient’s experience is the best it can be every step of the w

The Newly Diagnosed Patient

“Patients are referred to us by their primary doctor after a pat

gist has made the diagnosis of cancer,” explains Dr. Pramern Srira

Cancer” doesn’t always produce the same dire outcome as it did

years ago. That’s not to say that hearing the word “cancer” from

your primary care physician isn’t frightening. But the advances

in cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, targeted drugs, and radi-

ation, along with the ever-increasing knowledge of how certain cancers

behave, have helped more and more patients survive and go on to live

full, productive lives. The physicians, nurses, and staff at Mid-Illinois

feature story

Caring for Cancer PatientsBy Becky Wiese

“

Dr. John Migas, Dr. Bhanu Vakkalanka, Dr. Hwan Jeong, Dr. Pramern Sriratana

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an oncologist who has been with MIHOA since its beginning in 1979.

“We have a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, which includes

twice-weekly meetings with the oncologists, radiation oncologists, sur-

geons, nurse practitioners, and any other interested party, including the

primary care physician, to review a patient’s case.”

They review the diagnosis and results of tests and discuss the

type of cancer, where it originated, and how advanced it is. Pathology

reports, mammograms, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests are consid-

ered as well. All of these factors influence the treatment plan and helpdetermine what steps will be taken, such as chemotherapy, radiation,

hormone therapy, or additional surgery.

“We do all we can to benefit the patient,” says Dr. Sriratana. “Patients

want to know what can be done, so it’s important to include them in

the decision-making process.” Even when expertise from a third party is

necessary, such as from a larger cancer center like Mayo Clinic, Barnes-

Jewish Hospital, or Sloan-Kettering in New York, the desire of the patient

and the patient’s family weighs heavily in the decision.

In addition to treatment options, educating the patient about what

those options may involve is also important. For example, information

about chemotherapy, its side effects, and things to watch for are all

discussed so that the patient knows more going in and has a better

perspective about what may or may not happen. Physical condition, age,

and other personal factors are taken into consideration so that the treat-ment becomes very individualized, based not only on the diagnosis and

standard treatment protocol set forth by the National Comprehensive

Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, but also on what the patient as an

individual desires as well as what he or she can and can’t tolerate.

“Patient education is very important,” states Dr. Sriratana. It helps

them understand the nature of their disease, as well as the factors that

come into play throughout their treatment. The on-site library at the

Community Cancer Center offers excellent information for patients to

peruse; support groups and networks are other valuable sources of 

information and often prove to be critical for patient care.

Reviewing information the patient has heard is important in making

the patient feel comfortable. Sabrina Petersen, a Certified Oncology

Nurse, explains that after the patient has seen the doctor and comes

to the infusion area, one of the nurses meets with the patient in order tohelp them get acquainted with the surroundings. “Even before the first

IV stick, we introduce them to the area and different parts of the facility

to help them feel more comfortable.”

In addition, the nurse will review the schedule of treatment and give

an overview of the drugs that will be used. “We make sure the patient

understands that what was discussed with the doctor is what wil l hap-

pen in the infusion area. We’ll talk about lab work, the amount of time

they should expect to spend — the various things they can anticipate

during each visit,” says Petersen.

The nurses go through information in-depth so the patient can feel con-

fident at home, but nurses are also available 24/7 for questions and con-

cerns as they arise. Patients also receive a packet of information regarding

their treatment and what to expect that serves to reinforce what they’ve

been told — that way they don’t have to try to remember everything.

MIHOA and The Community Cancer Center

Another benefit for patients at MIHOA is that so many of the ser-

vices or resources they need are all under the same roof at The Com-

munity Cancer Center. The four physicians, including Dr. Sriratana,

Dr. Hwan Gon Jeong, Dr. John Migas, and Dr. Bhanu Vakkalanka, a

nurse practitioner, and eight registered nurses, plus three lab techni-

cians, make it easy for a patient to see their doctor, have their blood

work done, get a CT scan, and receive chemo or radiation treatment

all at the same location.

Other supportive care that is available includes a social worker, a

dietary counselor, a chaplain, and information about support groups

in the community. These caregivers are important parts of the

port team.

“For example,” says Dr. Sriratana, “the dietary counselor can dis

the adverse side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, and mouth sores

can happen due to chemo treatments and help the patient choose f

that may be easier for their body to handle during this time.” The s

worker not only offers psychological and social support, but is often

helpful regarding financial information and finding drug programs

provide medication at a lower cost to the patient. The chaplain prov

support and encouragement to patients of all faiths.

Three other essential support personnel include a patient advo

called a navigator, a genetic counselor, and a clinical research c

dinator. The Community Cancer Center offers a breast navigator is trained to counsel patients at the time of diagnosis regarding

options with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. “N

gators are an essential part of the support team,” says Dr. Srirat

 The navigator is there for the patient at every step throughout

treatment; the patient can call the navigator at any time.

The genetic counselor is a specially trained nurse who works to

determine the risk of a certain type of cancer developing due to ge

ics. “Several cancers are known to run in families and tests can be

to determine the risk,” Dr. Sriratana explains. Breast cancer and c

cancer are two such cancers that have screening tests that help d

mine potential risk. The genetic counselor studies the family hi

and works with insurance companies to obtain approval for scree

tests, which will reveal the genetic predisposition for developing ca

 This knowledge helps the physician and patient determine a couraction as early as possible.

A clinical research coordinator helps patients who qualify and

interested get into clinical research trials. Jennifer Peterson, the Cl

Research Coordinator for MIHOA, is quick to say that participating

clinical trial is not for everyone. “It’s not a miracle drug,” she says,

it is not necessarily better than the current standard treatment.”

Clinical trials are usually comparative studies that are availab

most common cancers. The opportunity to become a part of a t

reviewed by the physician at the beginning of treatment; an intere

patient must go through a consent and screening process. Accept

depends on the stage and type of cancer, performance status,

other eligibity criteria.

Lyndi Alberts, APN, FNP-BC with Allison Ruff,

cancer survivor, sharing a moment of good news.

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feature story continued

“The treatment is very regimented regarding timing and doses of 

specific drugs or drug combinations as well as tests,” explains Peter-

son. Patients also have to monitor side effects. “Many clinical trials are

looking at the effectiveness of a drug and its potential side effects.”

They serve an important role, as they have enabled drugs to become

more effective, such as target drugs that attack specific types of cells

and amounts of drugs that can be used effectively without being as

toxic to the patient.

Having all these resources, plus an amazing network of volunteers,

in the same facility is a huge benefit to patients. And the benefits will be

expanding as the Community Cancer Center recently broke ground for

a new addition which will double the space for patient treatment, havemore room for physician conferences, increase the patient education

area, add a chapel, and even allow patients to walk outside in a beauti-

ful, peaceful garden setting.

Mid-Illinois Hematology and Oncology Associates recently became

a QOPI (Quality Oncology Practice Initiative) certified practice. This des-

ignation is given by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists and is

based on quality of care and chemotherapy administration standards.

Less than 10 percent of all oncology practices qualify for QOPI certifica-

tion, making MIHOA an excellent option for personalized, compassion-

ate care combined with advanced technology and treatment options

for patients.

Cancer patients in Central Illinois have several compelling reasons

to stay close to home as Mid-Illinois Hematology and Oncology Associ-

ates offers the highest quality cancer treatment, compassionate sup-

port, and on-going follow-up care. With the advances in technology

that diagnose and treat cancer earlier, better, and with more success

than ever before, the goal and increasingly end result is to take you

from cancer patient to cancer survivor.

For more information, you may contact

Mid-Illinois Hematology & Oncology Associates, Ltd.

at 309-452-9701. They are located inside the Community

Cancer Center at 407 E. Vernon Avenue in Normal.

MIHOA Practice Profile

Staff:

• Four physicians

• One Nurse Practitioner

• Eight nurses• Laboratory staff 

• Research coordinator

• Office coordinator, and records, billing, and front desk staff

Pramern Sriratana, MD, Founded MIHOA in 1979

• Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and

Medical Oncology

• Medical degree from Ramthibodi Hospital Mahidol Uni-

versity, Bangkok, Thailand

• Internship and residency in Internal Medicine and fel-

lowship in Hematology/Oncology at St. Francis Hospi-

tal, Evanston, IL

Hwan Gon Jeong, MD, Joined MIHOA in 1990

• Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and

Medical Oncology

• Medical degree from Kyungpook National University

School of Medicine, Taegu, Korea

• Internship at Maryknoll General Hospital, Pusan, Korea

residency in Internal Medicine at St. Elizabeth Hospi-

tal Medical Center, Youngstown, OH; fellowship in

Hematology/Oncology at Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Hospital, Cleveland, OH, and University of California,

Los Angeles

John J. Migas, MD, Joined MIHOA in 1997• Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology

• Medical degree from Rush Presbyteri an St. Luke’s

Medical Center, Chicago.

• Internship and residency at University of Minnesota

Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis, MN; fellowship at Uni-

versity of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA 

Bhanu Vakkalanka, MD, Joined MIHOA in 2012

• Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology

• Medical degree from Rangaraya Medical College, Kaki-

nada, India University- Andhra University

• Residency at Metro Health Medical Center Case West-

ern Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio and fellowshipat Taussig Cancer Center Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Cleveland, Ohio

Lyndi Alberts, APN, FNP-BC, Joined MIHOA in 2013

as a Nurse Practitioner

• Board-certified as Family Nurse Practitioner

• Master of Science in Nursing fro m Illinois State

University

• Bachelor of Science in Nu rsing from Illinois State

University

Katey Lally, RN, BSN, Patty Detweiller, RN, OCN, Laurie Robinson,

RN, OCN, Sabrina Petersen, RN, BSN, OCN, Andy Reichert, RN,

Lisa Lowry, RN, BSN, Ginger Brooks, RN, Jeanne Aden, RN, OCN