Renzi Cancer Center Celebrates One Year Serving the Community

Renzi Cancer Center caregivers joined patients and major donor, Nicholas Renzi on Tuesday to mark one year of care at the facility. The Renzi Cancer Center at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is the culmination of years of planning, financial investment from The Guthrie Clinic, and donations from the community through Cortland Memorial Foundation. 
 
“The cancer center incorporates all of the features that govern my charitable giving,” said Nicholas Renzi. “It benefits many people in need. It’s a state-of-the-art facility. And it’s local. The staff here at the Renzi Cancer Center, together with the facility itself is a testament to the proactive approach to medical care by The Guthrie Clinic.” 
 
The Renzi Cancer Center at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center offers comprehensive cancer care under one roof, close to home. It brings together Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology including ten infusion rooms, along with support services such as a nurse navigator and social worker to help patients through all aspects of their journey. 
 
“When you get diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer, it is a little bit shocking,” said Tom Leahy, Renzi Cancer Center patient. “The staff is excellent, from the receptionist to the nurse navigators, everyone is very friendly and upbeat. I’m so much better now, and I’m glad I came here.” 
 
The Renzi Cancer Center is home to the state-of-the-art TrueBeam linear accelerator, equal to what patients find in larger cities. As a result, the number of radiation patient visits more than doubled year-to-year since the opening of the Renzi Cancer Center. There were also almost 800 more medical oncology patient visits. 

“Just in terms of what we can do now in this facility that we couldn’t do in this town at all, from now to two years ago, is mind blowing,” said Dr. Nathan Goldman, Radiation Oncologist. “Patients are now getting treatments here that they can’t get in some other communities.” 
  
“You clearly serve the community. You have a community which you represent. You are part of the community,” said Dr. Vladimir Gotlieb, Chair of Guthrie Oncology. “The patients come here not only for oncology problems, but they come here with social problems. They talk to you about their families. You guys know them, you talk to them. You spend time.” 
 
The goal of the Renzi Cancer Center is to provide comprehensive care, close to home. But the quality of care is being recognized outside of Cortland County. Syracuse resident and business owner, George Tackley chooses to make the trip to Cortland for his treatment. 
 
“This staff here, totally checking on you, making sure you’ve got plenty to drink, need anything to eat,” said Tackley. “They interact with your personal problems if you need to talk about something. And not only that, they give you guidance on the treatment that you can expect down the line. They don’t miss a beat. They take a lot of personal care and kindness. They really interact with everybody.”