Our patients are treated in our 10,000 square foot clinic at St. Joseph Medical Place 1, which also houses our infusion suite for the administration of chemotherapy in an outpatient setting.

Our physicians make themselves available to speak directly to referring physicians regarding patient care. In addition, our nursing staff, each of whom has intimate knowledge of the medical status of a specific group of patients, provides clinical interface with managed care organizations, physician organizations and is available for patient phone calls.

Inpatients are treated on the 42-bed oncology unit at St. Joseph Hospital. The oncology unit features state-of-the-art equipment, a highly professional and caring multi-disciplinary team of oncology specialists and the world famous LIVING ROOM, where patients can enjoy music, art, games, parties, videos and other entertainment with family and friends. All patients on the Oncology Unit have private rooms and family members are encouraged to stay with the patient. Our patients also have access to the Radiation Oncology Unit and Hospice Program at St. Joseph Hospital, as appropriate.

Our patients further benefit from their immediate and ongoing access to the research being conducted at the CHRISTUS Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research, a public charity, located in a separate 18,000 square foot facility on the twelve city block campus of St. Joseph Hospital. Four physicians associated with the clinic donate their time and expertise to the work of the Foundation, free of charge. All research is clinically oriented and performed on human cancers. PATIENTS ARE NOT CHARGED FOR THESE STUDIES, but have immediate access to new treatment protocols developed as a result of this patient-focused research and treatment.

Since 1969 we have maintained our original commitment to provide the highest quality of oncology care delivered with the most efficient use of resources. Ordering only diagnostic tests and treatments that are necessary for each patient’s individual situation, the Stehlin & de Ipolyi Oncology Clinic develops treatment plans that reflect both state-of-the-art and cost effective medicine.

Our special interests encompass the broad field of solid tumor oncology including breast, liver, ovary, skin, thyroid, malignant melanoma, neck, malignant blood disorders (leukemia's), lung, lymphomas, stomach, colon and rectum, and kidney.

Most women with a family history of breast cancer are familiar with the term "lumpectomy." Stehlin physicians were among the first to advocate breast-conserving treatment 31 years ago. Its 25-year study of breast cancer patients showed the less radical procedure offered equal survival rates, without mutilation and severe psychological consequences of breast removal. Clinic physicians' articles on breast-conserving treatment were published in medical journals, prompting wide acceptance of this theory. By 1990, the National Cancer Institute officially recognized the modified procedure as "the treatment of choice" for selected breast cancer patients.

Today it is understood that meeting patients' emotional and spiritual needs is an integral part of effective cancer treatment. However, the Stehlin & deIpolyi Oncology Clinic was among the first in the nation to care for cancer patients' psychological needs. In 1980, the "The Living Room" was introduuced on the 42-bed oncology unit, creating a nurturing place for hope, faith, laughter and love. "The Living Room" quickly became a prototype for cancer treatment centers around the world.

Clinic physicians also improved treatment for advanced melanomas of the extremities, increasing survival rates by 300 percent, while virtually eliminating amputations. And, one of the largest studies of liver cancer ever reported in the medical literature was conducted here.

We have an active bone marrow transplantation program headed by Dr. Kim Fehir, who established the bone marrow transplant program at Baylor College of Medicine. In addition, our clinic pioneered the regional application of arterial chemotherapy, and is currently participating in clinical trials of a family of major new anticancer drugs, the Camptothecins, which appear to hold great promise for the future of cancer treatment.

Our surgery department also performs the full spectrum of general surgical procedures, i.e., laparoscopic, gall bladder, ulcers, hernia repair and hysterectomy, as well as the majority of gynecology/oncology surgeries.

Continuity of care is ensured by having one physician in charge of the patient throughout his or her entire course of treatment. Patients are not tied to a single protocol; rather, the treating physician selects the best therapy for the individual patient, consulting with other staff clinicians and health care professionals as required for the patient’s total care. Clinical specialists include two surgeons, one who specializes in laparoscopic surgery, a hematologist, and dermatologist.

We measure our success by:

Quality, clinical outcomes, service
Patient satisfaction
Satisfaction of physicians who refer their patients to our Clinic

Currently our physicians are participating providers in over 30 managed care plans, ranging from PPOs to capitated arrangements. Physicians and staff are educated in managed care procedure and policy. Our Managed Care Coordinator(s) are the first point of contact for managed care plans.

Once the patient is authorized for treatment at the Clinic, managed care organization case managers communicate with our nurses and physicians to discuss treatment plans, authorizations and pre-certification needs. St. Joseph Hospital also has nurse case managers on the oncology unit who work specifically with our physicians, the managed care organizations, and the patients through the discharge planning process. Our goal is to collaborate with the physicians who send us their patients and to return these patients to the community physicians as quickly as is appropriate.