We Are Now the HR Hoover, MD Cancer Center

The cancer center at Willamette Valley Medical Center was formally named the HR Hoover, MD Cancer Center in ceremonies July 26, 2011. 

Thirteen years ago, when Dr. Erik Swensson came to McMinnville to practice as a general surgeon, we had no Cancer Center.

“I met cancer patients who had not been treated. Some had little hope. They said, ‘Well, if you get cancer you die.’ Others said, ‘I’m not going to Portland or Salem. I won’t leave town for treatment.’”

We knew that the best hope for providing great treatment for cancer patients was to establish a cancer center right here at Willamette Valley Medical Center. Dr. Joe Hoover, a general surgeon who had been treating patients in McMinnville most of his adult life, was passionate about this. He worked closely with Rosemari Davis, who was the hospital CEO at the time, to make it happen.

Now, a decade later, more than 3,000 cancer patients have received excellent care at the Cancer Center – care equal to any you can receive in a large city. Through earlier diagnosis, we are finding cancers sooner and helping people live longer.

Dr. Hoover was a guiding light in the success and growth of the Cancer Center. As chairman of the cancer committee he instigated monthly meetings to review cases with radiation therapists, medical oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, other medical specialists and providers.

Dr. Hoover was an amazingly brave individual. He was diagnosed with melanoma and prostate cancer, which took his life last November. “We’re here to help people,” he said when asked how long he would continue to work. “That’s why I get up every morning. If I quit doing this, I’ve got no reason to be here. I want to keep on doing this until I can’t do it any longer.” Dr. Hoover worked until three weeks before he died.

We are renaming the cancer center to honor Dr. Hoover’s legacy. It is more than fitting that it bears his name. Things get named for politicians because they bring pork home from Washington, or for businessmen because of their large financial donations. This is the story of an honest, ethical, humble, hard-working man who did the very best he could for his family and his community.

Can you ask any more of anyone than that?