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Hutcheson's Fuller Cancer Center Announces Addition of New Cancer Specialists

Charles Stewart, President and CEO of Hutcheson Health System, announced today that three nationally and state acclaimed radiation oncologists will join the staff at Fuller Cancer Center in Ringgold, GA.

The three physicians are affiliated with Harbin Clinic Radiation Oncology in Rome, GA. Harbin Clinic Radiation Oncology is a part of the Harbin Clinic which is the largest, privately-owned, multi-specialty physician clinic in the state, with more than 135 doctors specializing in 32 medical specialties.

The new radiation oncologists are Matthew Mumber, MD, also serving as medical director for the Fuller Cancer Center, James Santoro, MD, and J.C. Abdou, MD.  Dr. Mumber will see patients at the Center three days a week. Doctors Santoro and Abdou each will see patients one day a week rounding out full-time coverage for patients five days a week. The group also plans to bring on another full-time radiation oncologist in the near future who will practice five days a week at the Center.

Dr. Mumber received his medical doctorate degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. He completed a residency in radiation oncology at Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. He completed an associate fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona and is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology in radiation oncology. He began his practice in Rome in 1996 and joined the Harbin Clinic in March 2005.

Dr. Mumber has been involved in leadership positions with the Georgia Cancer Coalition and its partners for many years.  He is a board member of the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE); chairman of the Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition; and a member of the board of directors of the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Mumber was the 2008 recipient of the Georgia Cancer Coalition Hamilton Jordan Founder’s Award.

As Physician Executive for the Georgia Cancer Quality Information Exchange in Rome, Dr. Mumber helped unite healthcare providers in Rome - including Harbin Clinic, Floyd Medical Center and Redmond Regional Medical Center - in a pilot project whose goal is to develop a statewide evidence-based cancer quality measurement program.  He is also involved with the National Cancer Institute’s Community Cancer Centers Program (NCCCP), working through Harbin Clinic’s clinical affiliation with St. Joseph’s / Candler in Savannah, Georgia, one of the 14 sites nationally participating in this pilot program. If fully implemented, NCCCP will help bring state-of-the-art cancer care to patients in community hospitals across the United States.

Dr. Mumber speaks throughout the country on integrative oncology and, in 2006 he published the textbook Integrative Oncology: Principles and Practice, which explores a comprehensive evidence-based approach to cancer care, addressing all individuals involved in the process. He helped found Cancer Navigators, Inc., a non-profit organization offering cancer patients in Floyd, Chattooga, and Polk counties access to nurse navigation, social services, and educational programs that support and augment the clinical care they receive from their healthcare providers.

Dr. Santoro received his medical doctorate degree from the University of Bologna in Italy. He completed a residency at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY and Mallinkrodt Institute of Radiology at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Dr. Santoro completed a research fellowship at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA and joined Harbin Clinic in 2005.

Dr. Santoro is a member of the American Medical Association; American Society of Clinical Oncology; American Society of Therapeutic Oncology; and Tri-County Medical Society. He was the recipient of the 2006 Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding Performance Award given by the Commission on Cancer.

Dr. Abdou received his medical doctorate degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in West Indies, following the completion of his undergraduate studies at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. He completed a residency in radiation oncology at The Ohio State University, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus, OH. He completed an internship at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. He is board-certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology. Dr. Abdou was recently named a Cancer Liaison Physician for the Commission on Cancer.  He joined the Harbin Clinic in 2005.

Harbin Clinic Radiation Oncology is a part of the Harbin Clinic Cancer Services in Rome which is dedicated to integrated cancer diagnosis, treatment and education. Board-certified physicians specialize in medical, surgical and radiation oncology. Multidisciplinary conferences are held weekly to review lung and breast cancer cases.

The Fuller Cancer Center is a full-service cancer center with a team of physicians including medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, general surgeons, pathologists and other specialists in addition to a highly-trained support staff of nurses, technologists and technicians.

Hutcheson Auxiliary Completes $150,000 Pledge to Fuller Cancer Center

Hutcheson Auxiliary presented Hutcheson Health Foundation with a $50,000 check on February 5, completing a 3-year $150,000 pledge to Hutcheson Medical Center.  The funds were designated to purchase a state-of-the-art radiotherapy simulator for the Mike and Leila Fuller Center for Cancer Care.

Physicians use radiotherapy simulators to ‘simulate’ actual radiation treatment, allowing physicians to develop the most appropriate and effective treatment plan while focusing on minimal normal tissue damage. 

“We appreciate all that our Auxiliary has done to make this technology available to our community.  Through this advanced technology, our physicians and clinical staff are able to provide our patients with the most advanced, effective, and timely treatment available,” says Charles L. Stewart, President and CEO, Hutcheson Medical Center.

Mike and Leila Fuller Center for Cancer Care is part of Hutcheson Medical Center’s Battlefield Parkway outpatient campus which was completed in November 2004.  Under the medical direction of Noel Scidmore, MD, the Fuller Cancer Center has seen over 25,000 patient visits during its first three years of operation.

Hutcheson’s Auxiliary presents a $50,000 check to Hutcheson Health Foundation completing a 3-year $150,000 pledge.  Pictured are (L-R) representatives from Hutcheson Medical Center, Gerald Faircloth, chief operating officer; Debbie Reeves, chief nursing officer; Charles L. Stewart, president and CEO; Jo Brock, president, Hutcheson Auxiliary; Tammy Cole, executive director, Hutcheson Health Foundation; and Jerry Eades, president-elect, Hutcheson Auxiliary President. 

Hutcheson Announces Big Plans

Hutcheson Medical Center President Charles Stewart announced today plans for major renovations and equipment purchases through a $47.5 million financing plan.

“We feel that Hutcheson is in a good place financially and ready to make improvements to the main facility,” said Charles Stewart, President and CEO of the Hutcheson Health System. “Due to the financial difficulties over the last few years, there were limited resources to put back into the facilities on this campus.  This is about to change. Today we are very excited to unveil the new look for the new Hutcheson Medical Center. The update will include a much-needed face lift in patient rooms and many public areas starting with the main hospital lobby. In addition to the renovation, we will also acquire all new patient room furniture and seating in our waiting rooms,” said Stewart.

 “These are big plans that come with a big price tag, but we feel all are necessary as we continue our quest of improving patient care for North Georgia and the Chattanooga area. To pay for the upgrades, the hospital will enter into a bond financing that will refinance existing debt and generate $12.75 million for capital improvements. We will also enter into an additional agreement for a $12 million lease line for equipment,” he added.

The hospital also plans to purchase several new pieces of high tech equipment including a CT scanner, a MRI, equipment for a new cardiac catheterization lab and patient monitoring equipment. “We currently provide all the diagnostic equipment available, but in most hospitals, this is an area that is constantly changing with new technology. This financing program will allow us to provide the newest, most advanced services available to our patients,” said Stewart. The hospital does not expect the financing plan to have any impact on the current charge structure.

Stewart attributes the hospital’s recent success to strong expense control, a strategic focus on quality and patient satisfaction, and growth of services through the addition of several key physicians who practice solely at Hutcheson Medical Center.  New specialists include Battlefield Pulmonology Associates, the area’s first full time intensivists; medical oncologists with Georgia Cancer Specialists; general surgeon Andrew Lovette, MD,  Dianne Roland, MD, endocrinologist, and Anesthestix, an anesthesiologists group.  Anesthestix and Hutcheson began the Pain Management Center at Hutcheson on the Parkway, which is staffed by anesthesiologists trained in pain management. 

“All of these improvements are a reflection of ‘the new Hutcheson’ that is taking shape,” said Stewart.  With an improving bottom line, a dedicated and loyal staff, excellent physicians and solid growth plans for the future, Hutcheson is fulfilling its mission of serving as a true community hospital.

“This is an exciting time for Hutcheson, and we hope the community shares in our excitement. These improvements were designed with the community as its focus,” he added. 

Gateway Bank Completes Pledge

Hutcheson Medical Center, Inc. recognized Gateway Bank & Trust during a recent board of director’s meeting for completing a $50,000 pledge to Hutcheson Health Foundation for the Mike and Leila Fuller Center for Cancer Care.     

As part of the recognition, Hutcheson named the Gateway Bank & Trust Exam Room at the cancer center in the bank’s honor. 

“We are honored to recognize Gateway Bank & Trust for going above and beyond in its efforts to continue the healing mission of Hutcheson,” states Stan Porter, Chairman of the Board for Hutcheson Medical Center, Inc. 

Gateway Bank & Trust has a commitment to provide community support to those who may need it most.  “All of us have been touched by cancer in some way.  Being a part of providing a better quality of life for cancer patients is a very small gift we can give back to a community that has been so supportive of Gateway Bank.” states Bob Peck, President and CEO of Gateway Bank and Trust.  “We are honored to receive this recognition.” 

Charles Stewart, President and CEO of Hutcheson stated “The cancer center serves a tremendous need in our community.  It is very important that patients not have to travel farther than necessary to receive state-of-the-art cancer treatment.  Support from the business community is vital in helping us meet this community need.”

The Fuller Cancer Center is part of Hutcheson on the Parkway’s outpatient campus which was completed in November, 2004 and has provided care for over 25,000 patient visits during its first three years of operation.

Stan Porter, chairman of the board and Charles L. Stewart, president & CEO of Hutcheson Medical Center present Gateway Bank & Trust with a plaque naming the Gateway Bank & Trust exam room at the Fuller Cancer Center.  Pictured (L-R) Bob Peck, president & CEO, Gateway Bank & Trust; Stan Porter; Mary Carpenter, assistant vice president of marketing, Gateway Bank & Trust; and Charles L. Stewart.