Women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer increasingly choose breast conservation therapy (BCT). With this option, the cancerous tumor is surgically removed in a process known as a lumpectomy. To minimize the chances of the cancer returning, physicians recommend a course of follow-up treatment which includes radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy and/or hormonal therapy. Radiation… more ›

Patients at Willmar Regional Cancer Center (WRCC) may not have ever seen Joe Schmidt, a medical physicist, or even know what he does, but he plays an integral role in providing radiation care to cancer patients. Radiation Technology to Medical Physicist When Joe first entered the medical profession, he was a radiology technologist. At the… more ›

The golden bell at Willmar Regional Cancer Center rings, and nurses and staff gather in the waiting room at the Cancer Center to celebrate—and share tears of joy—with the patient who has rung the bell. The tradition of the bell began at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1996 when U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Irve Le… more ›

Willmar Regional Cancer Center recently began using new software called MIM Maestro, or MIM as it’s known at the cancer center, that will greatly benefit radiation patients. Though patients won’t interact with this software first-hand, it’s changing the way patients receive treatment. “MIM is allowing us to treat tumors with more precision. It allows us… more ›

Anytime Darlene Bratberg brings a smile to someone’s face, it’s been a good day. Those smiles are the reason she volunteers at Willmar Regional Cancer Center.  As a retired ACMC nurse, it gives her a way to continue to connect with patients even if they aren’t officially her patients. It’s also one way she honors… more ›

Dr. Ewa Wysokinska is a hematologist/oncologist at Willmar Regional Cancer Center. Though she’s no stranger to Minnesota, Dr. Wysokinska has spent most of her life in Poland. She grew up in a small town named Siechnice, about five miles outside of Wroclaw, Poland. Poland is home to beautiful countryside with bubbling rivers and lush forests—perfect for… more ›

In 2004 Kris Kolstad knew something was wrong.  An avid biker, Kris had been racing for years.  One day he started to notice that his training was suffering. He’d experience shortness of breath which was forcing him to cut his workouts short.  At the time he attributed the problem to getting older. Without warning in… more ›

Imagine coming to work every day putting together puzzle after puzzle. That’s what Charlene Gordon, medical dosimetrist at Willmar Regional Cancer Center (WRCC) does each day. What is a Medical Dosimetrist? As the WRCC’s sole medical dosimetrist Charlene is tasked with piecing together the different elements of a cancer patient’s radiation treatment plan. Her job… more ›