Cover Story

Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Clear Lake

Growing To Meet the Community’s Needs

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital’s commitment to cancer care includes continued expansions of both facilities and services.

“Our goal was to build a full-service oncology program that was capable of providing comprehensive care close to home, ensuring that local residents had access to the best physicians and facilities,” said Dan Newman, CEO. “Achieving that goal means constantly evaluating needs and investing in people and infrastructure. We’ve made tremendous progress over the past several years and we’ll continue moving forward wherever we can.”

One of the most recent enhancements is an expansion of the hospital’s Infusion Center, where patients receive chemotherapy treatments as well as other types of infusion therapy.

The Infusion Center opened in 2019 with 10 rooms in Medical Offi ce Building 2 on the Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital campus. It was expanded in 2020 to 15 rooms, and work is under way to add another fi ve rooms during the fi rst quarter of 2022.

The rooms are designed to be comfortable and private, giving patients a quiet space to relax during what can be lengthy appointments. There are a wide range of refreshments available, and patients can even order lunch — from a special menu developed by the hospital’s Nutrition Services — if needed.

“Because chemotherapy can take several months, our patients become like family to us,” says Ryan Bennett, director of the hospital’s Infusion Center and Radiation Oncology. “We’ll do whatever we can to make their experience as comfortable as possible. One of the advantages of a larger center is that it makes it possible for us to serve more patients comfortably and still make it easy to get an appointment at a convenient time.” Another advancement is the expansion of Houston Methodist Oncology Partners at Clear Lake, with the recent addition of boardcertifi ed oncologist Natasha Hirani, OD.

Dr. Hirani joins Dr. Joshi at Houston Methodist Oncology Partners, located in Medical Offi ce Building 2.

“Cancer affects not only the patient, but also the entire Dr. Natasha Hirani family,” says Dr. Hirani. “I believe it’s important to utilize a collaborative treatment process and counsel — to really listen to my patients and their families — with the goal of helping them reach informed treatment decisions together.”

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hirani or another oncologist with Houston Methodist Oncology Partners at Clear Lake, visit houstonmethodist.org/cancer-clearlake or call 832.783.1190.

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital also offers specialized physical therapy for patients with cancer-related needs, both during treatment and after.

Surgery and radiation treatments can cause ongoing weakness, skin tightness or mobility issues. Chemotherapy can lead to neuropathy, or nerve damage, in the extremities. The removal of lymph nodes — a common cancer treatment — can cause a condition called lymphedema or swelling of the arms or legs.

The skilled therapists at Houston Methodist Clear Lake work directly with oncologists to screen patients and developed personalized therapy and exercise plans that often can be conducted at home to improve mobility, regain strength and prevent falls.

Another benefi t the hospital offers is a monthly virtual cancer support group, where survivors and caregivers can share their stories and learn from others.

“These ancillary services and programs are examples of our patient-centric approach to oncology,” says Newman. “Treating cancer requires more than just fi ghting the disease. Patients often fi nd that even when their cancer is gone, they need help with issues, such as physical therapy or emotional support to improve their quality of life in survivorship.”

Learn More

Call 281.333.8899 or visit houstonmethodist.org/cancer-clearlake to learn more about Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Clear Lake or to fi nd a physician for your cancer care. At Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Clear Lake, the oncology nurse navigator helps guide patients through the cancer care process — from diagnosis through survivorship. The nurse navigator coordinates care, expedites appointments and is always available to answer questions or provide information, including referrals to outside services that can be important to patients.

Our nurse navigator, Cassandra Green, is a clinical nurse certifi ed in oncology. She has spent her entire nursing career in radiation oncology, where she has served patients undergoing treatment for many different types of cancer.

Cassandra is a member — and former board member — of the local chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. She is active in the community by assisting with events and educating groups about cancer.

“I enjoy building relationships with our patients and empowering them through education and support,” says Cassandra. “It’s important that patients and their family members have someone on the inside who can help them manage their care; someone who is readily available to answer questions or even just listen. That’s my role and I love it.”

Cassandra Green

For cancer care navigation, call 281.523.2396 or email cggreen@houstonmethodist.org.