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GRMC Launches Telehealth Program with UCLA Health to Enhance Cancer Care

Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) is excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking Telehealth Pilot Program in partnership with UCLA Health. This initiative is aimed at enhancing cancer care on the island, starting with a focus on lung cancer. GRMC will be working directly with Dr. Amy L. Cummings, M.D., Ph.D., a thoracic oncology expert at UCLA Health, seeking to bring the highest level of cancer expertise directly to GRMC patients, potentially reducing the need for off-island travel.

GRMC’s Cancer Center specialists provide a full range of treatments including Advanced Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Drug Treatment, and Therapies that include the management of any complications. With the addition of UCLA’s expertise, GRMC will be able to provide more specialized care for lung cancer patients since Dr. Cummings is specifically trained in cancers of the chest and lungs. As a result, GRMC lung cancer patients will gain the expertise of a UCLA Health sub-specialist without having to leave the island, and their treatment will still be delivered at GRMC under the guidance of Dr. Cummings.

By using cutting-edge communication technology and adhering to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, patients will receive the most up-to-date, interdisciplinary care available. GRMC will be using state-of-the-art equipment known as a Telehealth Rounder, which will allow Dr. Cummings to meet with the patient via a large, lifelike screen inside one of GRMC’s Cancer Center exam rooms. Members of GRMC’s cancer team will also be present in the room with the patient during the telehealth consultation. This will not only enhance the quality of care but also provide a more cohesive experience for patients.

This effort will enable GRMC patients to consult directly with leading cancer specialists at UCLA Health, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, without having to leave Guam, and be separated from work and family.

“Here at GRMC, our patients are our partners. We strive to promote knowledge, giving patients the tools to make healthcare decisions with their own values and goals,” said Summer Medler, GRMC Cancer Center Director of Operations. “With this new program, we are forming a team that brings UCLA’s expertise right to our Cancer Center.”

The Pilot Program will begin with half-day sessions each month, with plans for future expansion to include more frequent sessions and additional types of cancer care.

Patients and providers who are interested in participating in the telehealth program are encouraged to contact the GRMC Referral Office at (671) 633-GRMC (4762).

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