Centered on You:
Cancer Care in Northwest Illinois

When you get the news that you or a loved one has cancer, it may feel like the world has tipped upside-down. It’s likely one of the most life-altering – and definitely one of the most frightening – bits of news you’ll ever get.

For many people, this is the time when family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and more will step forward to help – your own little team, dedicated to helping you get better.

In the past, a cancer diagnosis meant you would be meeting a whole new healthcare team, traveling to Madison, Iowa City or Chicago, and going over your healthcare history many times over for each new provider. You and your support people may have faced travel challenges and nights spent away from home as you sought treatment.

Today, you have a choice. You can put yourself and your loved ones first and receive state-of-the-art cancer treatment right here in northwest Illinois at the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport.

Comprehensive Cancer Care

Our state-of-the-art CT scanner and Digital PET scanner allow for exceptional specificity and sensitivity in localizing tumors and provide quick scans with a higher level of detail.

Our Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) radiation machine and four-dimensional CT scanner combine for more precise radiation planning. IGRT allows greater accuracy so a higher dosage of radiation can be used for better treatment success. The 4-D CT scanner detects the smallest movements during treatment – even breathing – and allows better views of the affected area. This equipment allows FHN to offer our patients Volumetric Modulated ARC Therapy (VMAT), which allows for maximum control of the tumor and reducing side effects.

In medical oncology, we’re proud to be on the front line of immunotherapy, which gives a patient’s own immune system the power to fight certain cancer cells. Our large, welcoming chemotherapy wing provides patients undergoing treatment a soothing atmosphere with exactly the degree of privacy they desire, along with beautiful views of our Leonard and Mildred Ferguson Healing Garden.

Centered on You

We don’t let high-tech get in the way of personalized care, though. If you see an FHN provider for your regular healthcare, he or she will be an important part of your cancer care team through treatment and beyond.

You’re more than a cancer diagnosis, and we’re proud to work with your existing healthcare team for holistic treatment focused on getting you back to your best health!

The FHN Ferguson Cancer Center offers a comprehensive support team to help you through your cancer journey. Our caregiving team consists of a medical oncologist, a pharmacy technician specializing in oncology, nine nurses, a radiation oncologist, a team of radiation therapists, patient service representatives, a medical physicist, and a dosimetrist who ensures each radiation treatment delivers the most effective radiation dose with the fewest side effects to the patient’s healthy organs.

The goal of each member of this team is the same – making sure that each patient’s treatment is focused and individualized. Each member of our team is committed to our patients, treating them as family, and ensuring support for their entire journey.

“Patients and families meet our support team right away, when they walk in our door,” says Cancer Center Director Risa Tyler, BSN, RN. “Our scheduling staff at the front desk greet everyone with a warm, friendly smile. They’re a part of your team, and they’ll help you with scheduling and are always available to help answer any questions.”

“Our nursing team provides experienced hands-on care and administers medications prepared by our dedicated pharmacy technician,” Risa continues. “Radiation therapists deliver personalized care for patients receiving daily radiation treatments. Our social worker is ready to assist with any special needs, and the balance of specialties within FHN offer additional services that range from helping you plan a healthy diet, to physical therapy, to counseling services and spiritual care.”

The comprehensive cancer care provided by the Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center gives patients and families support that goes beyond the direct clinical battle with the disease. The team prides itself on treating patients holistically, guiding them with support and encouragement through the daunting challenge presented by the disease.

While our cancer care team treats patients in a modern, comfortable, and private stand-alone facility, the center is located on the FHN Memorial Hospital campus, giving patients seamless access to FHN’s 40 specialties to treat any related or non-related health issues they may face while undergoing cancer treatment.

To find out more about The Leonard C. Ferguson Cancer Center at Freeport Memorial Hospital, visit fhn.org/cancercare or call 1-815-599-7000.