WVU Cancer Institute

01/16/2026

Today, we honor our interventional radiologists, whose expertise allows patients to receive advanced, minimally invasive treatments – often with less pain, shorter recovery times, and faster returns to daily life. 💙

A Day Without a Scalpel highlights the power of innovation, precision, and compassionate care at the WVU Cancer Institute.

Using image-guided techniques instead of traditional surgery, these specialists treat cancer and complex conditions through tiny incisions, carefully navigating the body to deliver targeted care where it’s needed most. Their work exemplifies how innovation can transform the patient experience while expanding what’s possible in modern medicine.

At the WVU Cancer Institute, interventional radiology plays a critical role in multidisciplinary cancer care – supporting diagnosis, treatment, symptom relief, and improved quality of life for patients across the state and region.

01/15/2026

🎨 Pieces of Us: Stronger Together 💛

Creativity, connection, and community came together in a powerful way at the WVU Cancer Institute.

Members of our Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program – along with their families – celebrated the installation of a collaborative artwork they created together, Pieces of Us: Stronger Together. The canvas was designed during a monthly AYA meet-up at the Wow! Factory in Morgantown and reflects the strength, resilience, and shared experiences of young people facing cancer.

AYA meet-ups provide more than just creative outlets – they foster peer support and help meet essential needs for adolescents and young adults navigating cancer treatment and survivorship.

📍 See it in person:
The artwork is displayed on Rhododendron Avenue on the ground floor of the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center. If you’re visiting, we invite you to stop by and take a moment to experience this beautiful reminder of togetherness.

🐾 Bonus joy: Lancelot, the WVU School of Public Health’s therapy dog, joined members and families to help celebrate the installation!

01/15/2026

Community. Conversation. Care. ❤

Join us for an upcoming Patient and Family Advisory Council group meeting, where staff, patients, and family members come together to share experiences and collaborate on improving care.

🗨 This group provides a welcoming space to exchange ideas, offer feedback, and support one another, all with the goal of enhancing patient care and satisfaction.

📅 Tuesday, January 20
🕔 5:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Panera Bread, 357 Patteson Drive, Morgantown

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4jG832p

We look forward to seeing you there!

01/13/2026

Healing is about more than medicine – it’s about compassion, connection, and community. 💙

At WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, Infusion Center patient Roger Leary has found not only expert care, but family, support, and a true sense of belonging. From a childhood marked by hardship to a life enriched by the unwavering love of Jim and Pat Rossi and the Coalton community, Roger’s journey is a powerful reminder of what healthcare is really about.

As Roger continues his fight against colon cancer, he does so surrounded by people who show up every step of the way – and by a care team honored to walk alongside him.

Read this inspiring story of hope and humanity from our partners at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital.

01/13/2026

At WVU Medicine, cancer care and education go hand in hand. 💛

Our Radiation Therapy Program prepares the next generation of radiation therapists through a unique blend of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training at the WVU Cancer Institute. As the only JRCERT-accredited radiation therapy program in West Virginia, students learn from expert specialists while gaining experience with some of the most advanced cancer treatment technologies available.

But it's about more than technical skill – it’s about compassion. Radiation therapists work closely with patients every day, offering not only precise treatment, but comfort and support during some of life’s most difficult moments.

The program is shaping confident, highly trained professionals who are ready to make a difference for patients across the Mountain State and beyond.

Learn more about how we are investing in the future of cancer care: https://bit.ly/49Pholc

01/12/2026

January is cervical cancer awareness month 💙

Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet it still affects thousands of people each year. Routine screenings like Pap tests and HPV tests can find changes early – often before cancer develops. The HPV vaccine also plays a key role in prevention.

This month, we’re raising awareness about the importance of screening, vaccination, and early detection to help protect the health of our communities.

01/09/2026

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month ❤️‍🔥

Firefighters put their lives on the line every day and face increased cancer risks due to repeated exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxic substances on the job, affecting individuals and families in communities everywhere.

This month, we join with partners across West Virginia to raise awareness about firefighter-related cancers and the importance of prevention, early detection, and ongoing support for those who serve.

Let’s take time to recognize our firefighters and share information that can help protect their health and save lives.

01/07/2026

🚨 A first for West Virginia in lung cancer care! 🚨

WVU Medicine is the first in the state to treat metastatic lung nodules using pulse electric field (PEF) ablation — a minimally invasive option for patients with advanced cancer.

Led by Saiesh Reddy Voppuru, MD, teams from the WVU Cancer Institute and WVU Heart and Vascular Institute are using this innovative technology to target hard-to-reach lung tumors while preserving healthy tissue. Patients typically go home the same day with minimal side effects.

This breakthrough offers new hope for patients who have exhausted traditional treatment options and reflects WVU Medicine’s commitment to bringing advanced cancer care close to home. 💙💛

Read more: https://bit.ly/497VhpQ

Teams from the WVU Cancer Institute and the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI) successfully introduced a groundbreaking thoracic oncology treatment using pulse electric field (PEF) ablation in patients with metastatic lung nodules, the first health system in West Virginia to use this technology.

01/06/2026

💛 A historic milestone was recently celebrated at WVU Medicine Summersville Regional Medical Center as the first patient completed chemotherapy treatments at the facility.

After beginning care at WVU Medicine United Hospital Center, Gary Fazenbaker was able to finish his treatments in Summersville, surrounded by the comfort and support of his own community.

This milestone is especially meaningful for the SRMC team, as Gary is the father of Angela Fazenbaker, RN, a dedicated Emergency Department nurse at the hospital.

As Gary rang the bell to mark the completion of his chemotherapy, it echoed as a powerful symbol of hope, perseverance, and the impact of keeping promises to our patients and communities to bring care close to home.

📸 Pictured: Gary Fazenbaker and his family alongside members of the SRMC team as he rings the bell to celebrate completing treatment.

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12/30/2025

We’re honored to share Russell’s powerful story of healing, hope, and the care he found close to home at the WVU Cancer Institute at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals.

Stories like Russell’s reflect the strength of our statewide network and the compassion, expertise, and teamwork that define WVU Cancer Institute care – delivered every day by dedicated teams who treat patients like family. 💛💙

💛💙 A Journey of Healing and Hope: Russell’s Story at the WVU Cancer Institute at Thomas Hospitals 💙💛

When Russell was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2024, his world shifted overnight. After undergoing an unsuccessful surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, he returned home to West Virginia—uncertain of what would come next but grounded in his belief that he was being guided exactly where he needed to be. That place, he says, was WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals.

At the WVU Cancer Institute at Thomas Memorial Hospital, Russell received 30 radiation treatments along with 17–18 laser light treatments targeted at the base of his tongue. Radiation Oncology is part of the WVU Cancer Institute, where radiation oncologists, nurses, therapists, dosimetrists, and medical physicists work together to deliver precise, safe, and effective care. Russell said he felt that level of expertise and compassion every single day.

Throughout his treatment, he never lost his optimism.

“I believe the Lord placed me at Thomas Hospitals not only to get the treatment I needed,” he shared, “but also to encourage others going through the same thing.”

He added that a positive outlook helped him stay strong.

“My cup is always half full. A positive mindset makes all the difference in healing.”

When asked how his care team supported him, Russell didn’t hesitate:

“From the get-go, they were upbeat and always smiling. My appointments were always at 7 a.m., and the staff was joyful and encouraging every single day.”

Several caregivers made a lasting impact on his journey, including Tara Hansen, MD, radiation oncologist; Jessica Fisher, APRN, CNP, nurse practitioner; Katelyn Miller, Radiation Therapist; Michelle Scites, Lead Registration Specialist; Hunter Jones, RN; and Ryan Moroose, Director of Radiation Oncology/Medical Dosimetrist. To Russell, the Thomas Hospitals team became more than healthcare providers—they became an extension of his family.

If he could share one message with anyone considering treatment at Thomas Hospitals, Russell says it’s simple:

“Don’t pass up the opportunity to come to Thomas because they are a caring group of people. They give you the utmost attention and make you feel like family. The staff always went above and beyond.”

Even though his treatment is finished, Russell still stops frequently to visit his “family” in Radiation Oncology. In July 2025, he received the news he had prayed for—his PET scan was clear, and he is cancer-free. Today, he continues to share encouragement, positivity, and gratitude with others, believing that every part of his journey had a purpose.

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12/24/2025

✨ Happy holidays from the WVU Cancer Institute! ✨

May this season bring you peace, joy, and moments of rest. We look forward to continuing our mission together in the new year: advancing care, supporting one another, and bringing hope to every patient we serve.

Warmest wishes for a happy holiday season! 💙🎄

12/14/2025

📣 Exciting news for Jackson County!

WVU Medicine Jackson General Hospital is investing $8.5 million to build a new, state-of-the-art cancer center on its Ripley campus, opening in early 2027. This project is supported by a generous $2.5 million gift from the Margaret Lynn Starcher Estate.

The new center will bring the expertise of the WVU Cancer Institute directly to the community – including advanced treatments, access to clinical trials, and seamless connections to specialists in Morgantown.

This investment means local patients can receive high-quality cancer care closer to home, surrounded by the support of family and friends.

💙 Proud to continue expanding access to cancer care across West Virginia.