Heartland is comprised of two main components and five affiliated rural hospitals and clinics.

• Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MBMC) is a member of BJC HealthCare. BJC HealthCare is one of the largest non-profit health-care organizations in the United States, delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. BJC serves rural, urban and suburban communities and includes 14 hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, a retirement community and other community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, dental practices, long-term care and hospice. MBMC oncologists provide clinical services in St. Louis County at the Missouri Baptist Cancer Center and Missouri Baptist Healthcare Center-Sunset Hills, in Franklin County at Missouri Baptist Hospital-Sullivan, in St. Francois County at Parkland Health Center-Bonne Terre, and in Ste. Genevieve County at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital.
  
  MBMC Physicians:

  • Alan P. Lyss, MD, Principal Investigator for Heartland Cancer Research CCOP and Medical Director of the Breast Health Center at Missouri Baptist Medical Center

  • Paul K. Schultz, MD, Medical Oncologist and Associate Principal Investigator

  • Michael J. Bolger, MD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

  • Humberto Fagundes, MD, Radiation Oncologist

  • Marcio Fagundes, MD, Radiation Oncologist

  • Jason Li, MD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

  • Gary A. Ratkin, MD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, and Cancer Center Director at Missouri Baptist Medical Center

  • Atif Shafqat, MD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

  • Deborah A. Wienski, MD, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Heartland Cancer Research’s CCOP physicians have over 75 clinical trials available for cancer patients and for people who are at higher-than-average risk for developing cancer. Doctors and nurses who participate in the CCOP program are, in general, more likely to provide newer cancer treatments at an earlier time than physicians who do not have the opportunity or interest to participate in clinical research protocols.

Heartland has been among research organizations throughout the United States conducting trials of the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin), recently in the news because of its demonstrated effectiveness against an aggressive type of early breast cancer. The nationwide study involved 5,000 women.

Heartland was among the research centers throughout the United States that investigated a new approach to cancer treatment, combining a drug that inhibits angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) with standard chemotherapy for common adult cancers. When added to standard chemotherapy, the anti-angiogenesis drug (bevacizumab, Avastin), improved the control of these patients’ cancer.

Many Heartland studies seek to compare outcomes of treatments already known to be effective and that are similar, but not exactly alike. This research advances the process of identifying the very best approaches to treatment.

Other Heartland studies seek to replicate results of previously published research on cancer treatments. This critical secondary research helps determine whether the initial results can be validated and whether the treatments should be utilized for many patients.

Our Affiliate Sites

Missouri Baptist HealthCare-Sunset Hills offers many key services of Missouri Baptist Medical Center to South and Southwest St. Louis County residents in a convenient location.

Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital:  Alan Lyss, MD and Atif Shafqat, MD, see patients at The Alan P. Lyss Center for Cancer Care and Research in Ste. Genevieve every Monday.  Dr. Lyss is involved in nationwide cancer research and studies and is therefore able to offer patients the latest technology and treatments in cancer care.

Missouri Baptist Hospital-Sullivan:  Physicians with expertise in a variety of medical specialties come to Sullivan Hospital's Medical Office Building from Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri.  This gives patients the opportunity to see and receive treatment from highly skilled specialists without leaving the Sullivan area. Drs. Jason Li, and Michael Bolger see patients in the oncology clinic two days per week.

Parkland Health Center - Bonne Terre: Professional services are provided in Bonne Terre three days per week. Drs. Paul Schultz,  Jason Li, Atif Shafqat, and Gary Ratkin are the medical oncologists/hematologists in attendance.