Submitted by Lisa Johnson-Bleskey, CCWW
NEW RICHMOND, WI – The Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin (CCWW) was awarded the 2023 Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative’s Collaboration Award, which honors organizations that have demonstrated effective teamwork while advancing cancer control goals.
The CCWW is a unique cooperative relationship between six community-based critical access hospitals in western Wisconsin, including Amery Hospital & Clinic, Hudson Hospital & Clinic and Westfields Hospital & Clinic – all part of HealthPartners – along with Osceola Medical Center, St. Croix Health and Western Wisconsin Health, which are independent rural hospitals.
Prior to 2011, cancer patients in western Wisconsin were traveling significant distances for treatment since none of the local hospitals could afford to provide radiation therapy on their own. But by working cooperatively and not competitively, the six hospitals were able to form a jointly owned, world-class cancer treatment center to serve residents of western Wisconsin.
The CCWW works to improve cancer awareness and education, increase cancer screenings and early detection and coordinate cancer treatment and survivorship services for patients. They also offer genetic counseling services to help families learn about hereditary cancer risks, along with clinical trial opportunities to assist in the development of new ways to prevent and treat cancer. All six locations have helped increase access to quality healthcare, especially for those at higher risk of health-related inequities in outlying areas of the region.
“The CCWW is honored to be recognized for working to improve health outcomes in Wisconsin,” says Steve Massey, president and CEO of the CCWW and Westfields Hospital & Clinic. “Our oncology care program models the benefits of a collaborative approach for cancer services. Together, we can do what is best for patients and reduce the burden of cancer.”
The CCWW accepted their award on November 2, 2023, during a ceremony at the Wisconsin Cancer Summit in the Wisconsin Dells.
For more information about the Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin visit cc-ww.org.
