Saint Alphonsus Announces Cancer Care Center is Now Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute

Health System Celebrates Significant Milestones in Cancer Care

Boise, ID – Following two decades of providing comprehensive cancer care services, Saint Alphonsus Health System today announced the name change of the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Care Centers to the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute. This name change highlights the comprehensive cancer care available at facilities in Idaho and Oregon.

By designating its programs in Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, Ontario and Baker City under the umbrella of one “Institute,” Saint Alphonsus is providing patients with cancer, and their families, local treatment options, supported by a network of board-certified Medical Oncologists, Radiation Oncologists, Advanced Practice Providers, surgical and medical specialists, and a comprehensive team of additional clinicians that encompass oncology nurses, radiation therapists, navigators, social workers, physical, occupational and speech therapists, dietitians, and spiritual care workers.

Saint Alphonsus Health System leadership and medical staff chose to name the Cancer Institute to align more accurately with the full depth and scope of capabilities available. Institutes are differentiated from core programs based on the availability of a wide array of clinical services, physician leadership, multi-disciplinary collaborations, education, clinical trials, and research. With experience and capabilities that have evolved over two decades, leadership at Saint Alphonsus believe that “Institute” more accurately describes the physician-led, collaborative, people-centered model that combines nationally recognized clinical research with the most current protocols for care.

Today’s announcement is the first of three major milestones for the Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute. In November, Saint Alphonsus will announce a collaborative relationship with a leading and internationally recognized academic research institute. The new Cancer Institute at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center – Nampa is under construction and later this year will officially open its doors to renovated and expanded chemotherapy and clinic space with the addition of a state-of-the-art radiation therapy vault. Saint Alphonsus recently celebrated the expansion and remodeling of its Chemotherapy Infusion unit at the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, and later this year will open its expanded Chemotherapy Infusion unit in Caldwell.

“For more than 20 years, Saint Alphonsus has been offering comprehensive cancer services that span the entire continuum of care. As our capabilities have evolved, it is only fitting that we ensure our name reflects the depth and breadth of the services we provide,” said Odette Bolano, President, and CEO of Saint Alphonsus Health System. “While the name may be new, our dedication to our mission is stronger today than it’s ever been. We offer a full range of patient-centered care programs and specialties, all with the singular aim of helping people in our communities when cancer touches their lives. I couldn’t be prouder of the outstanding team of physicians, staff and researchers who choose to provide these critical life-saving services.”

“The Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute is a leader with the most clinical trials in the region. Patients are offered state of the art treatments which include research trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute’s community oncology program and from drug manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies,” said Dr. Scott Pierson, Cancer Institute Medical Director. “We also have the most advanced robotic surgery program in the region, and offer patients comprehensive cancer treatments, with specialists that perform advanced breast, neuro-oncology, gynecological, esophageal, lung, and colorectal cancer surgeries.”

The Saint Alphonsus Cancer Institute also provides a full complement of ancillary services, including genetic counseling, nurse navigation, nutrition, social work, extensive therapy services inclusive of physical, occupational and speech, and a survivorship program. Saint Alphonsus is a member of the Montana Cancer Consortium (MCC), a research cooperative group funded through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Through this collaboration, Saint Alphonsus offers patients a wide variety of cancer treatment, cancer prevention, and cancer control trials. Multidisciplinary tumor boards and conferences are held weekly, to give medical and procedural specialists opportunities to collaborate on the best patient care.