12 VITALITY Fall 2025 Enhanced local cancer care with CMH and Central Care Cancer Center Citizens Memorial Hospital and Central Care Cancer Center of Salina, Kansas, signed an agreement to continue their commitment to deliver comprehensive cancer care services to the Bolivar community through a refined partnership. The two organizations have collaborated since 2005, leading to the opening of the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center in 2008. What’s new? Under the new agreement that starts in January 2026, CMH will provide medical oncology and infusion services as part of its outpatient operations. Central Care will continue providing radiation therapy services at the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center. To maintain seamless care, CMH will contract with Central Care for physician, billing and management services. Patients will continue to receive care from the same experienced and Whole-person care, close to home Cancer Center patient Jennifer Cannon Oncology, hematology, chemotherapy, radiation—these are what people commonly associate with cancer care. But cancer patients often face other challenges, from emotional struggles to financial hardships. In addition to expert medical services, the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center at CMH offers support through social services, nutritional counseling and other services. Social worker Julie Hicks connects patients with resources available at the Cancer Center and in the community. Sometimes, she simply listens. “I have the privilege of standing and walking beside patients and families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” Hicks says. A true story Jennifer Cannon has been receiving hematology care for a platelet disorder at CMH for three years. During that time, for her and her husband, Shane, the one constant in their lives has been CMH’s supportive community. “The Cancer Center helped me as a whole, not just medically, but emotionally, as well,” Jennifer says. “I wouldn’t emotionally be able to do it without the Cancer Center and the people involved. We were scared, but we found pure kindness.” Jennifer didn’t have insurance, and Julie helped her apply for Medicaid and disability. And Jennifer will never forget how Julie and others at the Cancer Center supported her after a house fire in spring 2024. “It was devastating. We lost everything,” she says. “It truly helped us when we were at our lowest.” After the fire, Julie gave Jennifer and Shane hygiene kits, gas vouchers and a grocery voucher made possible by donors to the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation. She connected them CARRIE J. BABB CANCER CENTER AT CMH
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