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St. Vincent sole owner of cancer center
By Anthony McConnell
This document was published online on Wednesday, December 03, 2008
The two Billings hospitals that operate the Big Horn Basin Radiation Oncology Center in Cody have dissolved their partnership.
On Monday, Billings Clinic announced it will withdraw from the Northern Rockies Radiation Oncology Center, which it operated in Billings with St. Vincent Healthcare for 21 years. The NRROC has operated the cancer center in Cody since it opened in 1999.
St. Vincent will become sole owner of the Northern Rockies and Big Horn Basin operations as of Jan. 1, according to a statement from both hospitals.
The centers in Cody and Billings will remain open and no job loss is expected.
“St. Vincent Healthcare plans to continue providing radiation services for its patients (in Billings) and at the center in Cody,” hospital officials said.
In addition, Billings Clinic physicians will continue providing radiation services for patients in Cody and Billings until August 2009 when their new cancer treatment center in Billings opens.
Representatives from both hospitals declined further comment.
“Both hospitals have agreed not to discuss the agreement,” St. Vincent spokesman Jeanelle Slade said.
More details on St. Vincent's plans for the Cody and Billings facilities could be available in January, she added.
The change could be good for cancer patients in Cody and the rest of the basin, West Park Hospital CEO Doug McMillan said Wednesday.
“I do see this as a good move,” he said. “I'm glad to see it and am kind of surprised.”
WPH owns the building at Sheridan and 9th where the cancer center is located and NRROC leases the space.
“There are four years left on the lease. They own all the equipment and employ all the staff,” McMillan explained. “We just own the building.”
For the cancer center's first five years it was staffed by oncologist Dr. James Raymond. Since he left in 2003, NRROC has used traveling oncologists who are in Cody for a few months at a time.
In that time, WPH has pressured NRROC's board to hire another permanent oncologist for Cody.
“They've always provided full-time radiation services, but haven't provided a permanent physician,” McMillan added. “They have an outstanding staff that's second to none and provide the same services they have in Billings.”
It was members of NRROC's board from Billings Clinic that resisted hiring a permanent oncologist to be based in Cody, he explained.
“We haven't had any success with the previous NRROC board because Billings Clinic would not support it,” he said. “But with St. Vincent taking over, it's our hope they will support hiring a permanent oncologist in Cody.”
He added that he intends to contact St. Vincent CEO Jim Paquette this week to discuss the transition and any possible changes in Cody.
“We're excited for the opportunity to work with St. Vincent Healthcare on this,” he added.
(Anthony McConnell can be reached at anthony@codyenterprise.com.)
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