For the past quarter of a century, Prairie Lakes Cancer Center has been a beacon of hope and healing for countless patients and their families in our Watertown area communities. In 1999, the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center welcomed its first patient. Today, we proudly serve over 400 new patients annually, averaging 40 patient visits each day. Our journey from a small team of one physician and nine staff members to a comprehensive care center with three employed physicians, one nurse practitioner, and 22 dedicated staff members is a testament to our commitment to excellence in cancer care.
Our Team and Integrated Approach 
Our journey began with a vision to create a center where patients could receive state-of-the-art treatment close to home, surrounded by their loved ones. This vision has guided us every step of the way, driving our efforts to combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate care. The heart of our Cancer Center is our skilled and compassionate team, which includes:
- Dr. Joni Buechler, Radiation Oncologist
- Dr. Bipin Amin and Dr. Vijay Rao, Medical Oncologists and Hematologists
- Kristina Rieffenberger, Certified Nurse Practitioner
- Oncology-certified nurses
- Radiation dosimetrist
- Social worker
- Research specialist/clinical trial coordinator
- Radiation therapists
- Dedicated office staff
Our team is further supported by a diverse group of professionals from Prairie Lakes, including pharmacists, lab technicians, registered dietitians, pastoral care providers, and business office staff. This collaborative effort ensures that each patient receives holistic, comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs.
Milestones and Innovations
Over the past 25 years, the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center has achieved numerous milestones in providing advanced cancer care. Here are some highlights of our innovative services and treatments:
- Digital PET/CT Services: Our state-of-the-art mobile imaging unit offers exceptional image quality, reduced radiation dose levels, faster scan times, and the ability to perform additional diagnostic CT exams in combination with PET scans.
- TomoTherapy: This revolutionary treatment delivery system combines the functions of a traditional radiation therapy unit and an on-board CT scanner.
- Clinical Trials: We actively participate in and continually add new clinical trials to our offerings, providing our patients with access to cutting-edge treatments soon after FDA clearance. Our proactive approach allows us to offer innovative therapies to our patients quickly.
- Advanced Therapies: We administer a variety of immunotherapies, chemotherapies, and hematology services, ensuring that our patients receive the most effective treatments available.
A Community of Care
One of the unique aspects of the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center is our close-knit team and the long-standing experience of our staff. We pride ourselves on creating personal relationships with our patients, treating them as individuals rather than numbers. This personalized approach fosters a supportive and compassionate environment, which is often not found in larger healthcare settings.
Our collaboration extends beyond our center, working with specialists across the Midwest to keep care close to home. We also integrate services from other departments within the healthcare system, including dietary support, social work, pastoral care, and rehabilitation therapies, to support patients throughout their journey.
Reaching Out to Rural Communities
To ensure that quality cancer care is accessible to our rural neighbors, we offer outreach services by visiting healthcare facilities in other cities.
- Dawson, MN
- Madison, MN
- Milbank, SD
- Montevideo, MN
- Sisseton, SD
- Webster, SD
This initiative brings our expertise and advanced treatments to patients who might otherwise face challenges in accessing specialized care.
Stories of Strength and Resilience
At the heart of Prairie Lakes Cancer Center are the inspiring stories of our patients and a special tradition of patients ringing our celebration bell, which is to mark significant milestones in their treatment journey. Their strength and resilience in the face of cancer motivate us to strive for excellence every day. From those who have celebrated remission to those who continue their brave fight, our patients are the true heroes of our story.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate this 25-year milestone, the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center remains dedicated to evolving and adopting the latest advances in technology, treatments, and clinical trials. Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that we continue to meet the diverse needs of our patients with the highest standards of care.
We invite employees and the community to join us in celebrating 25 years of dedicated service. This achievement is a shared success, made possible by the support and trust of our patients, team members, and partners. Together, we look forward to many more years of healing, hope, and innovation in cancer care.
Congratulations to the Prairie Lakes Cancer Center!
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