Lincoln cancer treatment center receives special recognition

The center is one of only 9 in the Nation with this accreditation.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Hematology Oncology is focused on patient-centered care and leaving lasting impressions on its patients.

“No one wants to end up with a cancer diagnosis,” said Caitlin Phelps a patient at NHO. “When I walk through the doors of this place. I know I’m going to be treated as if I’m not just a diagnosis.”

Caitlin Phelps was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age.

“As a young cancer patient, there is really pretty unique stressors that I experienced. NHO was very helpful at anticipating what some of those needs might be,” Phelps said.

The cancer treatment center has made such a significant impact on Phelps’ journey, that she named her dog after her physician Dr. Hutchins.

“I thought it would be great to mark it with something significant from this journey, so naturally Hutch was created, that’s his name. He is a golden doodle and is a sweet reminder of how I’ve been so well taken care of here,” said Phelps.

An important part of patient care is taking away anything that may cause extra stress for them.  This accreditation allows NHO to lower patient costs.

“We just don’t want the patient themselves worrying about that sort of thing when they really should just be focusing on their health, and how they are doing. Not how much it’s going to cost them, or is my insurance going to cover it,” said Taylor Depue, quality program and compliance director at NHO.

NHO is showing its dedication to its patients by opening a support center right across the street from the main facility.

This support center will continue patient care even after intensive therapy is over.

“I hear too many stories of people who just feel lost. They feel like a number. They don’t know who to call, and part of this accreditation really cements all of the different aspects of our care in a patient-first manner,” Dr. Eric Avery said.

The cancer treatment center is one of only 9 in the Nation with this accreditation.

“I just think it’s amazing that here in Lincoln we have been picked one out of 9, that’s fantastic. It makes me feel so confident just about my own healthcare and that I don’t have to travel to receive high-quality health care,” said Phelps.