Central Iowa's First Cancer Center
Iowa's first children's cancer center opened at Blank Children's Hospital in 1987 - concentrating all phases of pediatric cancer diagnosis and treatment in one unique area. Expanding upon that concept in 1991, the John Stoddard Cancer Center opened at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, a significant new milestone. It was the first cancer center in central Iowa to house all radiation oncology and ancillary services in one location. The new facility centralized all outpatient oncology services in one area while conveniently locating them by the inpatient services offered at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. This progressive concept was a result of our long-standing commitment to meet the changing needs of the patients and families we serve.
Today, the John Stoddard Cancer Center remains at the forefront of cancer care in Iowa and the entire Midwest.
- The recently renovated Stoddard Adult Oncology Inpatient Unit has many unique features and was designed with the patient and family in mind. An interdisciplinary, holistic and family centered approach is central to our care delivery on this unit. Our team includes, but is not limited to, pharmacy, pastoral care, nutrition services, respiratory care, physical therapy, social services, case management, care coordinators, nursing, surgery and medical and radiation oncology to provide a comprehensive spectrum of care.
- We are among the most technologically advanced and diverse radiation oncology departments in the midwest. In 1962, Iowa Methodist Medical Center established Iowa's first hospital-based radiation oncology department. We began offering intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in 2002, which allows us to precisely shape the radiation beam to maximize treatment of the tumor while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissue. In 2004, we began treating patients using stereotactic radiosurgery. Both of these were firsts for healthcare in central Iowa. In 2011, Stoddard became one of the first in the world to offer patients TrueBeam STx Technology - a revolutionary new radiation device capable of treating even the smallest tumors.
- The Stoddard Care Coordinator Program was a first in central Iowa and has proven to be a tremendous benefit for our patients and their families. Care coordinators are patient advocates, providing education and support to cancer patients and their families before, during and after treatment.
- Stoddard offers patients and their families a wide range of services that were created to provide them with the care they need before, during and after cancer treatment. Services include a multidisciplinary cancer committee, weekly tumor board conferences, public screenings and education, support groups, on-site Look Good Feel Better coordinator, a community outreach program, oncology research and clinical trials, a Lymphedema Clinic, cancer education classes and a survivorship program.
Our philosophy of family-centered care allows us to wrap all of our modern treatment technology into an atmosphere that reflects the importance of having family and friends involved in the treatment process.