Barton Health partners with Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center

Submitted by Editor on Sun, 05/26/2013 - 11:00pm
Rebecca Wass, Barton Health

Barton Health has partnered with the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, a service of Tahoe Forest Health System, located in Truckee and an affiliate of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, to expand its oncology services for cancer patients who reside in the South Lake Tahoe area.

Using advanced technology through Barton’s Telehealth for Tahoe Program, cancer patients undergoing treatment at Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center can meet with their physicians via “real-time” videoconferencing.

“We are now seeing our patients in a seamless way – remotely,” Medical Director and Oncologist, Dr. Laurence Heifetz, F.A.C.P. explained. “This program helps relieve the hardship of driving an-hour around the Lake to see us. Barton Health currently has a telemedicine program in place, so it was a good opportunity to create a virtual oncology office in South Lake Tahoe, making it more convenient for our patients.”

For cancer patients, who are in-between chemo doses, the program not only minimizes stress and travel expenses, but also saves patients time where they need it most — to heal. Dr. Heifetz, along with Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, Dr. Ahrin Koppel, are able to communicate with their patients in-between chemotherapy treatments, which can vary from every three to four weeks. Patients must be closely monitored and as each treatment can vary with disease diagnosis, often enough, patients have interim visits about every 10 to 14 days.

“A vast majority of their diagnostics and lab tests can now be done at Barton as well,” Dr. Heifetz said. “Right now, we are actively studying ways to provide chemotherapy at Barton.”

In addition to the award-winning telehealth program offered by Barton, both facilities are also looking to partner to bring additional cancer support options to the South Shore.

Patients of Drs. Heifetz and Koppel can be referred to Barton’s Teleoncology Program based on their needs and preferences. For more information about the Gene Upshaw Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, visit www.tahoecancercenter.com or call (530) 582-6450.