Meridian Health - Stories of Inspiration: Janice's Story - Compassionate Cancer Care Close to Home

When Janice Mulholland was ready to start chemotherapy after having colon cancer surgery in August, the Little Egg Harbor resident knew she wanted to receive her treatment as close to home as possible.

So when a doctor suggested she see Evan Naylor, M.D., a medical oncologist on staff at Southern Ocean Medical Center, Janice didn't hesitate to make an appointment.

He was just what she was looking for. "Dr. Naylor is knowledgeable and caring," says Janice, 73. "And Southern Ocean, where I received my chemotherapy treatments, has the personality and feel of a small community hospital but all the resources of a big-city medical center."

A Team Approach to Care

As part of the Meridian Health family, Southern Ocean Medical Center belongs to Meridian Cancer Care. Through this network, patients have access to comprehensive cancer services, including prevention and early-detection screening programs, advanced diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, nutrition counseling, education and support services, and clinical trials.

"Meridian Cancer Care is a close-knit neighborhood where the emphasis is on providing highly coordinated care," Dr. Naylor says. "That's so important for cancer patients because they typically have many professionals involved in their care, and they need to know everyone's working together for the best outcome."

Patients at the Cancer Center at Southern Ocean benefit from a multi-disciplinary team approach that draws on the talents of experienced, board certified primary care physicians, radiation and medical oncologists, surgeons, physician specialists, and oncology certified nurses. The skilled Cancer Center team uses the latest technologies to care for patients in a compassionate, comfortable atmosphere.

There for You

Janice saw this teamwork in action throughout her experience. "One day, one of the nurses noticed I wasn't looking great," Janice recalls. "She called Dr. Naylor, and Dr. Naylor called the pharmacy to order me another antinausea medication even before I left my chemotherapy session."

For Dr. Naylor, it's all in a day's work. "I tell my patients, 'Call me anytime if you're having problems.' We want to preserve their quality of life," he says.

Following her chemotherapy, Janice will continue to see Dr. Naylor every three to six months for the next five years. She'll periodically have imaging and lab tests to screen for any recurrence of her cancer.

"I'm so grateful to Dr. Naylor and the nurses," she adds. "They made the experience as pleasant as it could be."