October 10, 2024
Mahaska Health is honored to welcome Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell, Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), for a visit at Mahaska Health on Wednesday, October 16th. This visit follows Dr. Rathmell’s participation in the Cancer Consortium Summit, Iowa’s comprehensive cancer conference, bringing together advocates and professionals to exchange best practices in cancer prevention and treatment.

Dr. Rathmell, an award-winning national leader in cancer research, and representatives from I-CAN (Iowa Cancer Affiliate Network) and the University of Iowa will meet with Mahaska Health medical leadership teams. Together, they will review the I-CAN program’s strengths, barriers, and opportunities for improvement. The discussions aim to advance cancer care across rural Iowa, aligning with NCI’s goals to expand high-quality, comprehensive care in underserved areas.

Dedicated to expanding and improving regional care through teamwork and physician leadership, Mahaska Health oncology teams look forward to sharing insights during Dr. Rathmell’s visit after the Cancer Consortium Summit. Mahaska Health is proud to have been nominated for the Cancer Consortium’s annual “Spirit of Collaboration” award. This nomination celebrates the strong relationships Mahaska Health has built with local community leaders and physicians as they continue to evaluate local needs and advocate for high-quality healthcare options in Oskaloosa and the Southeast Iowa Region.

“The opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Rathmell highlights the commitment we have at Mahaska Health to ensuring our cancer patients receive the best care, close to home,” said Dr. Daniel Kollmorgen, Medical Oncology Director at Mahaska Health. “Her leadership and vision will help us continue building a robust cancer program and improve outcomes for patients in rural Iowa.”

Mahaska Health is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by rural cancer patients, including access to screenings and advanced treatments. This visit, part of ongoing efforts to improve cancer care in the region, reflects Mahaska Health’s dedication to ensuring that every patient has access to compassionate, expert-led care, no matter where they live.

To learn more about Mahaska Health’s Iowa Center of Excellence for Surgical and Medical Oncology and to connect with a specialist or schedule a screening, visit mahaskahealth.org/cancer-care or call 641.672.3187.

Mahaska Health Hosts National Cancer Institute Director, W. Kimryn Rathmell, M.D., Ph.D. 1

About Mahaska Health:

Mahaska Health is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, state-of-the-art facilities, and outstanding healthcare to Oskaloosa, surrounding communities, and the southeast Iowa region. With a caring and compassionate team of professionals, Mahaska Health is a physician and nurse-led hospital dedicated to the health and well-being of the communities we serve with kindness and empathy.