Comprehensive Cancer Care at Decatur County Hospital

Decatur County Hospital Expands Access to Cancer Care

At Decatur County Hospital, we believe patients deserve access to exceptional cancer care close to home. That commitment continues to grow with the addition of Dr. Viet Le, a highly specialized surgical oncologist whose expertise will help expand advanced cancer treatment options for patients across Decatur County and surrounding rural communities.

Dr. Viet Le, MD, FACS, specializes in surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, and endocrine surgery. His clinical focus includes gastrointestinal oncology, tumors affecting the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts, soft tissue malignancies, and endocrine disease. Dr. Le has built a reputation for delivering compassionate, patient-centered care while utilizing advanced surgical techniques designed to improve outcomes and recovery times for patients facing complex cancer diagnoses.

The addition of Dr. Le reflects our ongoing investment in bringing specialized healthcare services to rural Iowa communities, ensuring patients can receive expert care without the burden of extensive travel.

Cancer care is never one-size-fits-all. At DCH, patients have access to a growing network of specialists, advanced treatments, and support services designed to provide personalized care throughout every stage of the cancer journey.

Through our Oncology and Hematology services, patients receive expert cancer and blood disorder care right here in Leon. In partnership with Mission Cancer + Blood, patients have access to personalized oncology treatment plans, infusion services, laboratory support, and ongoing monitoring, all while remaining close to family, friends, and support systems.

Oncology & Hematology

DCH proudly partners with Mission Cancer + Blood to provide comprehensive oncology and hematology services for patients across southern Iowa. This partnership gives patients access to advanced cancer care without the stress and financial burden of traveling long distances for treatment.

Services offered through Oncology & Hematology include:

• Medical oncology consultations
• Personalized treatment planning
• Chemotherapy and infusion therapy
• Immunotherapy treatments
• Hematology evaluations for blood disorders
• Cancer surveillance and follow-up care
• Laboratory and diagnostic support
• Patient education and care coordination

Cancer treatment often requires frequent appointments and ongoing monitoring. By offering infusion therapy and oncology support locally, DCH helps patients remain close to their families, support systems, and communities during treatment.

A special shoutout goes to Dr. Jawa, Christine Drake, ARNP, and the entire Mission Cancer + Blood team for their dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care. Their expertise and commitment help ensure that patients receive advanced treatment options while still experiencing the comfort and familiarity of receiving care close to home.

Beyond treatment itself, the oncology team works closely with patients to help them understand diagnoses, navigate treatment decisions, manage side effects, and maintain the highest possible quality of life throughout their cancer journey.

Gynecologic Oncology

Women in Decatur County have access to rare specialized gynecologic oncology care through Elizabeth A. Dubil, MD, FACOG. Dr. Dubil provides advanced care for women facing both cancerous and non-cancerous gynecologic conditions.

Gynecologic oncology is one of the most highly specialized areas of medicine, with relatively few physicians practicing this specialty throughout Iowa. For many women, accessing a gynecologic oncologist often requires traveling to larger metropolitan medical centers.

By bringing Dr. Dubil’s expertise to Decatur County Hospital, women throughout southern Iowa have access to nationally recognized specialty care much closer to home. This means fewer miles to travel, less time away from family and work, and the ability to receive expert care in a familiar, supportive environment while remaining connected to a local healthcare team.

Gynecologic oncology services include care for:

• Cervical cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Vulvar and vaginal cancers
• Abnormal pap smears and cervical dysplasia
• Pelvic masses and complex gynecologic conditions

In addition to cancer treatment, DCH’s gynecology services focus heavily on prevention and early detection. Regular screenings, pelvic exams, pap tests, and preventive care appointments are critical tools in identifying gynecologic cancers early when treatment outcomes are often most successful.

Dr. Dubil also provides surgical interventions, chemotherapy management, and ongoing women’s health services, allowing patients to receive continuity of care throughout diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

As part of her commitment to women’s health and cancer prevention, Dr. Dubil provides care at Decatur County Hospital each month, including occasional Saturday clinics to help make appointments more convenient for patients.

Dermatology Services

Dermatology services at DCH are another important part of the hospital’s comprehensive cancer care approach. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, and early detection is essential to successful treatment.

Dermatology services include:

• Full-body skin examinations
• Evaluation of suspicious moles and lesions
• Skin cancer screenings
• Biopsies and diagnostic evaluations
• Treatment recommendations and follow-up care
• Preventive skin health education
• Advanced Mohs surgery procedures

DCH is proud to offer Mohs surgery locally through Dr. Oben Ojong, DO, FAAD, a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. Mohs surgery is considered one of the most precise and effective techniques for treating certain types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The procedure removes cancerous tissue layer by layer while preserving as much healthy surrounding tissue as possible.

This highly specialized procedure is especially valuable for cancers located on cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas such as the face, ears, scalp, neck, hands, and nose. By examining tissue during the procedure itself, Mohs surgery offers extremely high cure rates while minimizing scarring and unnecessary tissue removal.

Having Mohs surgery available locally is a significant advancement for rural healthcare access, allowing patients in Iowa to receive advanced skin cancer treatment close to home rather than traveling to larger metropolitan areas.

Providers work closely with patients to identify abnormalities early, monitor changes in skin health, and educate individuals on sun safety and prevention strategies.

Through DCH’s partnership with Frontline Dermatology, patients have convenient access to expert dermatologic care without leaving the community. Visiting specialists provide comprehensive evaluations for a wide range of skin, hair, and nail conditions, including skin cancer screenings, diagnosis of suspicious lesions, treatment planning, and preventive skin health education. This partnership helps ensure patients receive timely specialty care close to home, reducing travel while supporting earlier detection and better outcomes.

Urology Services

DCH’s urology services provide evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for conditions affecting the urinary tract and reproductive systems. Urologic care is especially important in the early detection and management of cancers involving the prostate, bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract.

Urology services support patients with:

• Prostate cancer screenings and evaluations
• Bladder and kidney cancer evaluations
• Urinary tract disorders
• Kidney stone management
• Men’s health concerns
• Urinary incontinence and bladder conditions
• Diagnostic procedures and treatment planning

Access to local urology services allows patients to receive timely screenings and evaluations that can lead to earlier diagnoses and better treatment outcomes.

A special thank you goes to Dr. Brian Gallagher who continues to provide compassionate, high-quality care close to home. Their expertise helps ensure patients do not have to leave their community to receive important specialty evaluations and ongoing treatment support.

Investing in the Future of Rural Cancer Care

The continued growth of cancer services at DCH is made possible through strategic investments and community-focused partnerships. Recently, Decatur County Hospital received a trio of grants aimed at expanding cancer care services and improving access for rural patients.

These grants are helping DCH enhance cancer screening capabilities, expand specialty care access, strengthen infusion and treatment services, and continue developing a comprehensive model of cancer care that meets the unique needs of rural populations.

For many rural patients, access to cancer treatment often means hours spent traveling away from home, work, and family support systems. DCH is working to change that reality by bringing advanced expertise, innovative technology, and compassionate care directly to the communities we serve.

The addition of Dr. Viet Le represents another important step in that mission.

At DCH, we understand that cancer care is about more than treatment, it is about supporting patients and families every step of the way. By continuing to expand specialty services, recruit expert providers, and invest in advanced resources, Decatur County Hospital remains committed to delivering high-quality cancer care close to home for the people of Decatur County and beyond.

Advancing the Future of Rural Cancer Care

Decatur County Hospital’s continued investment in cancer care has also been recognized at the state level. DCH was recently selected as a regional Spoke partner in Iowa’s new Combat Cancer Health Hub Program, joining Wayne County Hospital, Clarke County Hospital, and Lucas County Health Center in a collaborative effort to strengthen cancer care across south central Iowa.

As part of Iowa’s Healthy Hometowns Rural Health Transformation Program, this initiative represents a significant investment in expanding cancer prevention, screening, patient navigation, treatment coordination, and survivorship services throughout rural Iowa. By working together as a regional network, patients will have greater access to specialized care while receiving as much of their treatment as possible close to home.

Combined with the addition of specialists like Dr. Viet Le and the continued growth of oncology, gynecologic oncology, dermatology, and urology services, this partnership reinforces Decatur County Hospital’s commitment to bringing more advanced cancer care to the communities we serve, so patients can spend less time traveling and more time focused on healing.

To learn more about oncology and specialty services at Decatur County Hospital, visit:

• Oncology/Hematology
• Gynecology
• Dermatology
• Urology