How to make a referral?
Usually your primary care physician will make a referral to Great Lakes Cancer Management Specialists (GLCMS). You may have a newly diagnosed or recurrent cancer. We also see patients for blood disorders (hematology). Your doctor may have detected an abnormality on your laboratory testing. We do accept self referrals but do encourage you to discuss this with your doctor. It is important to communicate with all the physicians involved in your care in order to provide the best care possible for you.
What is Medical Oncology?
Our doctors are trained and board certified in Internal Medicine after completing a three year residency. They then went on to subspecialize in Medical Oncology and/or Hematology for an additional 2-3 years. Doctors in Medical Oncology order and coordinate the various drugs used in cancer treatment most notably chemotherapy as well as other drugs. They work closely with other medical specialties that may be involved in your care such as surgeons and radiation oncologists.
What is Hematology?
Hematology is a subspeciality of Internal Medicine that focuses on blood disorders. Some of these diseases are forms of cancers such as leukemias but also include all other benign disorders. These would include anemias and blood clotting disorders.
What to bring with to my first appointment?
- Driver license
- Medical insurance cards
- List of all prescription drugs (or bring all bottles)
- List of all physicians involved in your care
- Copy of Advance Directive
- Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts
- Please inform our staff before your first appointment of any tests, biopsy results so we can have those results available at the time of your first appointment (We will need a signed record release form prior to this).
What do I do if I have to miss a scheduled appointment?
We ask you to please notify our office as soon as possible when you know that you cannot come to a scheduled appointment. Unlike other medical offices, we do not currently charge for a missed appointment but need your cooperation in order to continue this policy. Our staff will be happy to reschedule your appointment.
How do I get necessary forms such as disability forms filled out?
You can bring them to your next appointment or send them in. We are asked to fill out more and more forms for many different situations. We ask your patience in completing these forms. Please give us as much time as possible to complete these forms.
Why are my doctor’s appointments sometimes running behind?
The nature of our practice dealing with cancer obviously can be filled with crisis for our patients and their families. Many issues arise that cannot be predicted. The staff and your doctor will take the necessary time to address your current situation. This may take more time than scheduled. On these occasions we ask for you patience. The staff will keep you informed if your doctor is running behind.
What about second opinions?
The diagnosis of cancer is a major challenge and the doctors of GLCMS certainly encourage patients to seek them if desired. We see patients for a second opinion, and we also can help facilitate them. We can provide contacts and records for opinions at local institutions such Karmanos and the University of Michigan Medical Center.
What hospitals are GLCMS affiliated with?
The doctors of GLCMS are on staff and visit patients daily at Ascension St John Hospital, Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, Henry Ford-Macomb Hospital, and Beaumont-Grosse Pointe Hospital.