New exam rooms, infusion bays, and more days of service now available at Cameron Health thanks to deepened partnership with Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology.
Angola, Indiana – Cancer patients in Steuben County no longer have to drive an hour or more for treatment. A major upgrade to the Regional Cancer Center at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital is complete, bringing significantly more oncology services right to their community.
The expansion adds five new exam rooms, 12 modern infusion bays, an enlarged lobby, and a dedicated registration area. Perhaps most importantly, Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology (FWMOH) doctors will now be on site more days each week.
“This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting the growing need for cancer care in Angola and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Praveen Kollipara, president of FWMOH. “Patients can now receive comprehensive oncology care, including palliative care, without having to travel far from home.”
Why This Matters Now
Cancer rates in rural northeast Indiana continue to climb higher than the state average. Steuben County’s age-adjusted cancer incidence rate sits above Indiana’s overall rate, according to the latest Indiana State Cancer Registry data. Long travel times to Fort Wayne or larger cities often cause patients to delay or skip vital treatments.
The renovated center directly attacks that problem.
Patients who once faced 60- to 90-minute drives in good weather can now get chemotherapy, follow-up visits, lab work, and supportive care just minutes from home. For someone feeling sick from treatment, that difference can be life-changing.
A Partnership That Started in 2001
Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology first began seeing patients at Cameron Hospital over two decades ago. The relationship grew steadily, but demand eventually outstripped the old space.
Hospital leaders and FWMOH decided to invest heavily in the Angola location rather than force patients to travel. The newly finished project represents the biggest single upgrade in the partnership’s history.
Local patients are already feeling the impact.
One Angola resident receiving chemotherapy told us the shorter drive means she can still make it to her grandson’s basketball games. Another patient said the expanded hours let him keep working his factory job instead of losing entire days to appointments.
What Patients Can Expect Now
The upgraded Regional Cancer Center now offers:
- 12 comfortable infusion bays (up from previous capacity)
- 5 additional exam rooms for quicker appointments
- Expanded on-site lab and pharmacy services
- More days per week with FWMOH specialists present
- Dedicated palliative care and supportive services
- Private registration area for faster check-in
The center treats all adult cancers and blood disorders, including breast, lung, colon, prostate, lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
Reducing the Burden on Rural Families
Traveling for cancer care hits rural families hard. Gas, lodging, lost wages, and childcare add up fast. Studies show patients who must travel more than 50 miles for treatment are less likely to complete recommended therapy.
By bringing expert care closer, Cameron and FWMOH aim to improve survival rates and quality of life across Steuben, LaGrange, DeKalb, and Noble counties.
This expansion arrives at a critical time. Northeast Indiana continues to see higher-than-average rates of lung cancer and late-stage diagnoses, problems often linked to distance from specialty care.
The message from both organizations is clear: world-class cancer treatment belongs in small towns too.
Patients like Angola’s Mike Reynolds sum it up best. “I fought this disease for 18 months traveling to Fort Wayne,” he said. “Now I can fight it and still be home for dinner with my wife. That’s everything.”
The Regional Cancer Center at Cameron Memorial Community Hospital is open and accepting new patients. Anyone needing oncology services in Steuben County finally has a stronger, closer option.
What does better access to cancer care mean to you or your family? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
