New Oncology Medical Director

Muskegon, MI – June 11, 2007: It is with much enthusiasm that Mercy Health Partners announces Nina F. Johnson, MD as the new Medical Director for Radiation Oncology of the Center for Cancer Care, opening Spring 2008. The new cancer center will be dedicated specifically to the prevention and treatment of cancer, providing both medical and radiation oncology.

Roger Spoelman, President and CEO of Mercy , stated, “The expansion of Mercy ’s Oncology program is very exciting for Muskegon and the lakeshore community. We have received a strong message from our medical oncology patients that they wanted to receive oncology treatment from one integrated center. With the expansion to radiation therapy at Mercy , comprehensive treatment is now available within the hospital system.”

Dr. Johnson will join the Center for Cancer Care at Mercy in Fall 2007. She will ensure Mercy will be on the leading edge of radiation oncology treatment and develop the radiation oncology portion of the Center for Cancer Care. An accomplished physician, Dr. Johnson brings her extensive knowledge and experience with radiation oncology to our patients. She joins Mercy from Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana, where she served as the Radiation Oncology Medical Director. Having graduated from Indiana University Medical School, Dr. Johnson completed her Residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Michigan, and was an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

Dr. Johnson brings much expertise in all facets of Radiation Oncology including pediatric radiation services, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), 4-Dimensional conformal therapy (respiratory gating), Real-Time Prostate Seed Implant, Stereotactic Radiosurgery for both brain and body, and High Dose Rate Brachytherapy for lung, cervix, uterus, breast, and prostate. She has clinical interests in breast, pediatrics, and prostate cancer.

“I am very excited to develop the Comprehensive Community Cancer Center along with Mercy Health Partners,” says Dr. Johnson. I am looking forward to serving this community and to work with medical staff in helping the Muskegon Community reach a new level of excellence in cancer therapy. My goal is to design and develop a premier Oncology Program as the Destination Center to serve as the market leaders for West Michigan.”

For over 15 years, Mercy has been providing medical oncology and related services to this community. In 2006, Mercy ’s Cancer Program received Accreditation with Commendation from the American College of Surgeons. Radiation Therapy has been identified as a significant form of cancer treatment needed for Mercy ’s patients. With development of the Center for Cancer Care and the addition of Dr. Johnson, patients who receive medical oncology treatment at Mercy will benefit by having their radiation oncology care provided in the same location.

Approximately 12,000 patients are currently treated at Mercy for their medical oncology needs and treatment of these patients will continue through a partnership between Mercy and Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan.

The Center for Cancer Care will be located at the current Orthopaedic Associates building, 1440 E. Sherman Blvd., on the Mercy Campus and will include treatment and examination rooms, a resource library, conference rooms, private family meeting rooms, a specialty boutique and an outdoor healing garden. The healing garden will provide respite and renewal for patients, their family and friends.

Mercy is the specialty referral hospital along the lakeshore. Mercy ’s services include heart and vascular, emergency services, cancer care, orthopedic and spine surgery, urology, bariatric services, a primary care network, nephrology, ENT, laboratory, palliative care and rehabilitation. Mercy specializes in a variety of areas through specialized institutes and centers where physicians and staff work collaboratively to provide excellent care to patients. Some of these centers include the Heart and Vascular Institute, the Centers for Women’s Health, the Center for Weight Management, the Imaging Center of Excellence and a state-of-the-art Emergency Center.