Phelps Health Delbert Day Cancer Institute Marks Five Years Serving Patients

The Phelps Health Delbert Day Cancer Institute (DDCI) will celebrate five years of service to patients on January 9, 2022.

“In the fight against cancer, the five-year mark is significant,” said Division of Medical Specialties Executive Director and DDCI Director Jeremy Stinson. “For many, the five-year mark is an indicator of a major victory against cancer, as recurrence rates decline after five years.”

The DDCI is a $43 million, four-story, 100,000-square-foot center made possible by a gift from Kim Day and her late husband Ted, the daughter-in-law and son of Dr. Delbert Day, curators’ professor emeritus of ceramic engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri.

Since opening its doors, the DDCI has performed a full spectrum of activities:

• More than 57,000 visits
• Consulted more than 2,300 new patients
• Conducted more than 5,900 follow-ups
• Performed more than 1,300 CT (computed tomography) simulations
• Completed more than 27,000 radiation treatments

“Since we have opened, we have continued to work to improve treatment options to ensure the broadest portion of people diagnosed with cancer can be treated successfully in the community,” said Christopher Spencer, MD, MS, DABR, the medical director of the Phelps Health DDCI and medical director of radiation oncology at Phelps Health.

The DDCI continues to establish credibility through its high standards of care and affiliation with the Siteman Cancer Network. Patients also have access to clinical trials through the DDCI. Additional patient services include nurse navigation, dietary assistance, social work support, surgical services, financial counseling and more.

To continue providing the best care, the DDCI has a staff of seven physicians and providers:

• Thomas Guerrero-Garcia, MD – Medical Oncology/Hematology
• Kan Huang, MD, PhD, MS – Medical Oncology/Hematology
• Jinna Lisenbe, AGPCNP-BC – Radiation Oncology
• Logan Shockley, FNP-C – Medical Oncology/Hematology
• Becky Witham, FNP-C, AOCNP – Medical Oncology/Hematology
• Christopher Spencer, MD, MS, DABR – Radiation Oncology
• Robert Swanson, MD – Radiation Oncology

Stinson said the DDCI not only cares for patients, but the cancer center also is a hub for information.

“The five-year anniversary of the DDCI signifies a constant resource in our community for the treatment, prevention, education and research of cancer,” Stinson said.

The Cancer Statistics Center documented 37,390 new cancer cases in Missouri in 2021. With state-of-the-art radiation oncology technologies and the most advanced chemotherapy and immunotherapy services available, staff at the DDCI are prepared to care for patients with a cancer diagnosis.

Since opening, the DDCI also received APEx accreditation from the American Society for Radiation Oncology. Additionally, the DDCI is nationally accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

“We have also worked to ensure those who need more advanced care can be treated through our Siteman Cancer Network partnership,” Dr. Spencer said.

“As many of our early patients reach the five-year milestone, we are excited and humbled to celebrate along with them,” Stinson said.