Miles Matter

When JRMC built its new location in southwest Jamestown, it dreamed of the day it could eliminate miles on the journey to recovery.

Miles matter because miles are expensive. Miles make a sick person feel sicker. Miles mean lost work, missed soccer games and empty seats at church.

Because of generous gifts, the JRMC Cancer Center has become a reality. Built to improve the quality of life for patients and their families, increase access to under-served communities in central North Dakota and to support patients on their cancer journey with state-of-the-art care.

JRMC Cancer Center makes THE difference for those journeys. It eliminates the miles and the seconds that matter most.

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

JRMC Cancer Center provides the following outpatient infusion services five days a week:

  • chemotherapy
  • blood or blood products
  • iron infusions
  • IV hydration/electrolyte replacement
  • immunoglobulin therapy
  • osteoporosis medications
  • medication for chronic illnesses like arthritis, Crohn's disease, etc.
  • steroids

The cancer center offers chemotherapy services to the North Dakota heartland. The cancer center helps more than 100 patients each month, saving more than 160,000 miles of travel each year. Those miles matter. Care is better close to home, which is why JRMC opened the cancer center in June 2019.

JRMC Cancer Center patients are able to receive chemotherapy and other medical infusion therapies in a private, comfortable, light-filled setting with an experienced team to tend to their needs.

Patients’ individual treatment areas are equipped with state-of-the-art, sit-to-stand infusion chairs and companion chairs for visitors, smart TVs, WiFi and refreshments for patients and their companions. The JRMC Cancer Center provides a full comfort menu to include personal care items, music, warm blankets, quiet kits and healing touch therapies.

What kind of appointments can I have at the JRMC Cancer Center?
JRMC can offer a number of cancer-care services including chemotherapy and oncology outreach.

What about other cancer care like diagnostic tests, biopsies and mass/lump removal?
JRMC offers all of those services and many more. For example, count on departments including:

  • Lab and Radiology: blood draws and imaging services like x-rays, MRIs and 3D mammograms
  • Rehabilitation: occupational and physical therapists help with strength building and muscle recovery
  • Surgery: biopsies, lump removal and other specialized care
  • Wound & Hyperbaric Center: radiation burns, infected an/or difficult-to-heal wounds

Is my oncologist going to see me?
Roger Maris Cancer Center will send a core group of oncologists to JRMC weekly. These individuals will meet with patients regarding their care plan.

How will I stay connected to my oncologist?
Even the most well thought out care plan may require tweaks and changes. To accommodate this, oncologists are available by telemedicine visits, in addition to regular appointments.

My primary care provider doesn’t work for Sanford. Can I still receive care at JRMC?
Absolutely! With a doctor’s referral, JRMC can provide infusion services to any patient in need. Patients can still meet with their oncologist at the oncologist’s clinic location.

How is Roger Maris involved?
JRMC partnered with the Roger Maris Cancer Center to offer the following services to our community:

  • standards of care protocols and procedures
  • on-site infusions
  • after-hours emergency oncology coverage
  • access to training, resources and certification

Who is the medical director?
Dr. Shelby Terstriep specializes in oncology with a special interest in breast cancer, cancer survivorship and supportive care. She is an excellent provider and JRMC is grateful to have her on its team.

The conditions she treats include:

  • Breast cancer
  • Gynecologic cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Brain cancer
  • Blood cancer
  • Hematology

Her educational background includes:

  • Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education – Residency, Internal Medicine
  • Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education – Fellowship, Hematology/Oncology
  • University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine Medical School
  • University of Missouri – Kansas City Undergraduate School

Certifications and licensures include:

  • American Board of Internal Medicine
  • American Board of Internal Medicine: Hematology
  • American Board of Internal Medicine: Oncology
  • American Board of Internal Medicine: Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Will JRMC ever become Sanford?
Not today and not in the near future.

JRMC wishes to retain its independence. To do that, it relies on partnerships with other healthcare organizations, similar to this one for the JRMC Cancer Center.

How do I schedule?
Your primary care or referring doctor is an important partner in your care. He or she will provide health history and insight about your situation that is vital in the cancer treatment planning process. Communication between your private doctor and the JRMC Cancer Center team is important before, during and following cancer therapy.

Oncology is not a self-referred service. It requires a provider referral. Once a referral is received, the JRMC Cancer Center will contact patients for appointment coordination.

Where is the JRMC Cancer Center located?
The JRMC Cancer Center is located on the campus of Jamestown Regional Medical Center. The cancer center entrance is located on the southwest corner of the building.

What do I do if I am already traveling for chemotherapy?
Whenever possible, cancer patients should be able to receive cancer care close to their home. Depending on the circumstances, most patients can be managed successfully at the community level. A patient would have to request that their therapy/treatment be ordered for the JRMC Cancer Center.

Does JRMC Cancer Center offer radiation?
The JRMC Cancer Center will be providing infusion services.

What is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy is the delivery of medicine directly into the bloodstream through a vein. The medicine is administered through a temporary location in the arm or hand, or through an “infusion port.” An infusion port, also called a port-a-cath, is a small device that is implanted under the skin to allow easy access to the bloodstream. A port can be used to draw blood and infuse chemotherapy, antibiotics and other medicines. It can also be used if transfusions of red blood cells or platelets are needed.

Most patients with cancer have infusions ports so they can receive medicine through a central vein close to the should rather than through the continued use of veins in the hand or arm.

Infusion therapy treatments include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, iron therapy and blood transfusions related to chemotherapy.

What do I do if I already receive infusions through the JRMC Emergency Department?
JRMC will review all current outpatient therapy/treatments to determine if they are appropriate to be provided in the JRMC Cancer Center. Patients will be contacted regarding the location of their therapy/treatment.

Are there opportunities to volunteer at JRMC’s Cancer Center?
Yes. Opportunities to volunteer include awareness and education, fundraising, hospitality, companionship, patient services and support, as well as through our Driven to Care program.

To volunteer, please contact JRMC Volunteer Services Coordinator at (701) 952-4800 or by emailing info@jrmcnd.com.

Featuring Oncology Services

JRMC Cancer Center Facts

  • JRMC Cancer Center includes two exam rooms and six infusion rooms.
  • Fully-funded by amazing donors throughout the community.
  • JRMC Cancer Center started seeing patients on June 17, 2019.