Outpatient chemotherapy services now offered at Cox Monett

Access to convenient, outpatient chemotherapy services is now available close to home.

Last week, Cox Monett began offering chemotherapy treatments at the new hospital located at 1000 E. Hwy. 60 in Monett. While the types of chemo offered are limited at this time, for some patients, this means that most cancer care can be given in Monett.

“Previously all CoxHealth patients needing to receive chemotherapy would have to drive to Springfield for treatment,” said Geoffrey Davison, system director of Oncology at CoxHealth. “This is a great benefit to the community to be able to provide a specialized service locally in a hospital setting.”

Outpatient chemotherapy services at Cox Monett is part of an overall plan to increase access to CoxHealth’s oncology services. Initially, the team plans to focus on immunotherapy, which is a more easily tolerated chemotherapy regimen. Over the course of the coming months, additional therapies and an expanded provider presence could be added. All chemo regimens will be determined on a case-by-case basis, tied to the patient’s diagnosis.

“Our first patient was ecstatic that he is now able to receive his treatments locally,” said Sabrina Gralheer, registered nurse in the Ambulatory Procedure Center, who will be involved in most patients’ chemo treatments at Cox Monett. “We spent months training and preparing for this day. To be able to offer chemotherapy closer to home is the right thing to do.”

Hematology and oncology specialist Dr. Raymond Lobins currently sees patients on Wednesdays at the Visiting Physicians Clinic, which is located at 2200 E. Cleveland Ave. in Monett. To make an appointment, call 417-875-2607.