New cancer center to open in Post Falls

POST FALLS - Medical Oncology Associates and Spokane CyberKnife and Radiation Oncology Center are partnering with Northwest Specialty Hospital to open a new cancer center in Post Falls.

The integrated center's opening date is scheduled for Aug. 18.

Medical Oncology Associates and Spokane Cyberknife and Radiation Oncology Center are acquiring Northwest Oncology and its staff currently located at Northwest Specialty Hospital in Post Falls. It will remain in its current location with five medical oncologists, two nurse practitioners and three radiation oncologists until a larger cancer center is completed just east of the Northwest Specialty Hospital campus this fall.

"I'm really excited about partnering with Northwest Specialty Hospital," said Arvind Chaudhry, an oncologist and principal with Medical Oncology Associates.

"Our goal is to take cancer care in North Idaho to a new level, including our affiliation with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, advanced research and imaging, rapid second opinions and the latest in radiation technology only available through us in the Inland Northwest."

Chaudhry said patients currently have few choices with cancer care in this area.

"We believe that cancer care should be delivered close to your home," Chaudhry said. "We are bringing the power of our alliance with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, whose network provides a structured program for supporting community-based oncology services ... without having to travel to Seattle."

Medical Oncology Associates, which will celebrate its 15th anniversary on Monday, is located in North Spokane, Spokane Valley, Colfax and Colville. Spokane Cyberknife and Radiation Oncology Center is in the Spokane Valley Cancer Center. Northwest Specialty Hospital is owned and operated by local physicians in North Idaho.