If living in Craig or the surrounding rural communities and are diagnosed with cancer, knowing where to turn for help can be confusing. After all, cancer care often involves many steps and medical disciplines—biopsy, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and more.

While the cancer journey is never easy, Memorial Regional Health is here to help navigate and receive the prompt, professional care needed to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Meet MRH’s Certified Physician Assistant Bridget Barnhart. She specializes in oncology.

“My job is to be on the ground in Craig helping patients after diagnosis through all their treatment and recovery,” Barnhart said. “Understandably, new cancer patients have so many questions. I work directly with every locally diagnosed patient under the care of the oncology providers at Calaway-Young Cancer Center in Glenwood Springs.”

The Craig Connection

“Other than radiation, most cancer services can be completed right here at Memorial Regional Health,” Barnhart said. “Many surgeries can be done here, and infusions such as chemotherapies and immunologics are delivered at the MRH Infusion Center.”

Barnhart said that community members not only from Craig but also from Hayden, Meeker, Baggs, Vernal and other surrounding communities often receive the bulk of their cancer care at MRH. The same care available elsewhere can often be delivered at MRH more conveniently and without the costs and dangers of mountain travel.

The MRH Infusion Center opened in 2019 and is located inside the MRH Medical Office Building. It contains five infusion bays plus two private rooms. Every patient gets their own area with a chair and TV. Large windows offer spectacular views of the Yampa Valley.

“Area residents don’t always understand that the well-trained pharmacists and staff at our state-of-the-art Infusion Center can deliver all the most current cancer therapies,” Barnhart said. “The oncologists create the treatment plans, and we are here to help carry out those treatment plans in a personable, accessible setting. People think that being in a small place means less access to care, but I think it’s often actually the opposite.”

In addition to chemotherapies and other cancer-treatment infusions, MRH provides adjunct oncology services such as nutrition consultations, physical therapy (including lymphedema care), counseling and benefits consulting.

What’s more, MRH Care Coordinator Jenell Lazarony works with oncology patients and their families to ensure they receive any additional services they may need, such as transportation and financial assistance.

“Many cancer patients aren’t aware that we can help them with transportation to Glenwood Springs or Grand Junction, as well as lodging once they get there,” Barnhart said. “Free transportation and lodging are available, and we work with the teams at the other hospitals to help coordinate these resources.”

A Passion for Oncology

Barnhart started out as an internal medicine PA but began focusing her practice on oncology a couple of years ago. She has been with MRH for six years.

“I love oncology care,” she said. “It’s so meaningful helping patients navigate one of the most complex and stressful experiences of their lives. Every day I make sure they’re getting the quick access to quality care they need. I’m available to answer all their questions and give them a sense of ease that they’re on the right path. Someone local is on their side.”

Barnhart says that oncology care at MRH is excellent. “The quality of care we have here is really remarkable,” she said. “And it’s a really rewarding area of medicine to be a part of.”