When Rebekah Powell received her breast cancer diagnosis, she faced a choice that many in rural communities confront: travel hours to a metropolitan cancer center or seek treatment in her hometown. As a Sleep Medicine team member at Great Plains Health, Powell chose to stay local — a decision she says gave her not just excellent medical care, but the comfort of being treated like family.
Powell is among the first patients to experience the Great Plains Health Breast Center’s innovative single-visit care model, which coordinates the entire breast cancer care team into one comprehensive appointment. Her journey through treatment highlights how coordinated, compassionate care can make all the difference when facing a life-altering diagnosis.
“From the beginning of my journey, it felt like the employees at Callahan Cancer Center wrapped their arms around me and walked beside me through everything,” Powell said.
The Callahan Cancer Center's approach emphasizes seamless coordination between specialists. When Powell needed to see multiple providers — oncology, radiation oncology and physical therapy — they scheduled appointments back-to-back so everything could be accomplished in one visit.
“Dr. Todd Hlavaty walked me out to the scheduling desk and explained to the scheduler what I needed to be scheduled for, to ensure nothing was lost in translation,” Powell recalled, noting the attention to detail that characterized her care.
One moment that stands out in Powell’s memory came before she began treatment, when two staff members took her to the wig room. “They made it feel like I was shopping with friends,” she said. She was able to take home a wig free of charge before her hair loss began — a preparation that proved invaluable when her hair fell out on a Saturday and she had tickets to a musical that evening.
“If I hadn’t had a wig at home already, I would have stayed home,” Powell said.
Patient navigator Terry Martin, RN, served as Powell's guide through the complex medical journey. Before beginning chemotherapy infusions, radiation or oral chemotherapy, Martin walked Powell through the process, medications, potential side effects and when to contact providers. She provided physical handouts for future reference and answered every question.
Physical therapist Susan Hood, PT, MPT, went beyond her primary role when she noticed Powell’s heart rate was elevated during post-surgery recovery. Hood advocated for Powell to see a cardiologist, where arrhythmias were diagnosed.
“Susan truly went above and beyond to make sure that I was safe,” Powell said.
For Powell, the quality of care at Great Plains Health matched anything available at larger metropolitan facilities. “The Callahan Cancer Center has everything that larger facilities offer, but here in our hometown," she emphasized.
Her message to other women facing a breast cancer diagnosis is clear: “Everything that you need to fight this battle is provided right here in North Platte! I received the best care that I could have imagined, and it was right here at home.”
Powell’s experience as both a healthcare professional and a patient at Great Plains Health underscores the organization's commitment to bringing advanced, coordinated cancer care to the rural communities it serves. The new Breast Center model aims to reduce the burden on patients by streamlining appointments and ensuring every member of the care team is working in concert.
As Powell’s journey demonstrates, sometimes the best care isn’t found by traveling the farthest distance. It’s found in the dedicated professionals who treat you like family, right in your own community.
For more information about Great Plains Health, visit gphealth.org.
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