Nassif Community Cancer Center

05/22/2026

For those who are craving a spicy snack, these quick and easy buffalo cauliflower bites are oncology-dietitian approved!

Cook Time: 25 minutes 4 servings Ingredients: Instructions: Notes: To cook cauliflower in an oven, bake in a single layer at 450°F (230°C) for about 25 minutes. Makes 4 servings […]

05/22/2026

-Thank you to Wells Fargo for setting up a bracelet-making station for a day at one of their local branches to give employees a simple, hands-on way to give back through the Gems of Hope program. Using provided materials and instructions, staff created beautiful bracelets for local cancer patients at a time that worked for them during their workday!

If you'd like to have a self-lead Gems of Hope workshop at your business or organization, submit a request >> https://bit.ly/RequestAGOHWorkshop

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Image description: Two photos show a group of women participating in a bracelet-making activity in a community room. They are seated around tables filled with organized bins of colorful beads and supplies, smiling and working together in a casual, hands-on workshop setting.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Rasa Buntinas with Physicians' Clinic of Iowa P.C. Hematology and Oncology, who was recently recognized with Guardian Angel Award!

From her nomination: "Thank you on behalf of our family for your excellent care and kindness during our family member's cancer treatment. Dr. Buntinas is truly a guardian angel."

The Guardian Angel program gives patients and families the opportunity to make a donation in appreciation of a physician, team member, volunteer or department that made a difference in their healthcare experience. Would you like to recognize one of our caregivers? Nominate them for a Guardian Angel Award! >> https://bit.ly/HGNCCC-GuardianAngel

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Image description: Cancer center team members pose together in a medical office lobby while Dr. Buntinas holds her Guardian Angel certificate.

05/18/2026

No one facing cancer should have to worry about how they’ll afford groceries or get to treatment. The Spirit Fund helps patients focus on what matters most—their health and healing.

Read more about the impact and how you can support local patients.

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Image description: A provider supports a patient’s arm during infusion treatment while they speak, with medical equipment in the background.

A cancer diagnosis changes…everything. So many questions, so much to decide. What kind of treatment will you have? Can you still work? How will your loved ones be affected? And […]

05/15/2026

Here's a healthy fruit pizza recipe recommended by our oncology dietitians!

Cook Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: Instructions:

05/14/2026

Thank you to DKW Gallery and Studio hosting our Healing Power of Art session! 🎨
We learned some fun tips from Deb:

Participants enjoyed a relaxing, creative experience while learning helpful painting tips from Deb, including:
• “If you make a mistake, it’s only paint.”
• Water is your friend—adding water can help adjust acrylic paint.
• A loose brush technique helps blend colors before they reach the canvas.

Check out some of the beautiful artwork created during the session.

Thanks to generous philanthropic support, we’re able to offer these fun and creative classes for our patients!

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Image descriptions:
1. Adults at a table holding up colorful paintings in an art studio.
2. Art class participants seated at a table displaying their paintings.
3. Adults focused on painting at a long table with supplies.
4. Group painting together with brushes, palettes, and canvases.
5. Wide view of participants painting in an art studio.
6. Participants painting and talking around tables in a studio.

05/11/2026

Last week, five of our team members were recognized with awards and/or scholarships at the annual St. Luke's Patient Care Excellence Awards!

- Mona Cook, care coordinator: Smulekoff Family Award for Nursing Excellence
- Connie Dietiker, care coordinator: Great Iowa Nurses
- Lisa Heidelbauer, medical secretary: Ann & Forbes Olberg Scholarship
- Melissa Janssen, genetics nurse practitioner: Margaret Averill - St. Luke's Auxiliary Scholarship and St. Luke's Alumni Scholarship
- Abigail Witte, radiation therapist: Brian D. Zimmerman Scholarship

Congrats to these exceptional team members! Thank you for all you do!

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Image descriptions:
1. Mona Cook holds the Smulekoff Family Award for Nursing Excellence certificate while posing with Kristin McVay, Maureen McEvoy and Casey Greene at St. Luke's Patient Care Excellence Awards.
2. Connie Dietiker holds the Great Iowa Nurses certificate with Kristin McVay, Maureen McEvoy and Casey Greene at St. Luke's Patient Care Excellence Awards.
3. Lisa Heidelbauer poses Kristin McVay, Maureen McEvoy and Casey Greene holding the Ann & Forbes Olberg Scholarship certificate at St. Luke's Patient Care Excellence Awards.
4. Melissa Janssen holds the St. Luke's Alumni Scholarship certificate while posing with a group at St. Luke's Patient Care Excellence Awards.
5. Abigail Witte holds the St. Luke's Alumni Scholarship certificate while posing with a group at St. Luke's Patient Care Excellence Awards.

05/08/2026

This Moroccan spiced chickpea salad is easy to make and oncology dietitian-approved!

Ingredients: Instructions: Mix everything together in a large bowl. Store for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

05/04/2026

04/30/2026

How long is too long for a sore throat to stick around?

Dr. Madia Russillo from Physicians' Clinic of Iowa P.C. Ear, Nose and Throat, answer this questions and shares what to know about head and neck cancer warning signs, risk factors and prevention—including the role of HPV vaccination.

Dr. Madia Russillo shares what you need to know about symptoms and risk factors and how the HPV vaccine can prevent head and neck cancers.