• Ribbon Cutting and Open House held on Thursday

For Trevor Merritt, Star Valley Health Vice Pres. of Human Resources, an updated and expanded Oncology and Infusion Center has real meaning.

As he spoke to the gathering at a ribbon cutting for the new center Thursday, Mar. 20, Merritt   emphasized  the importance of the center for individuals and families needing these specific health care services in the Star Valley region and he did by relating personal experiences in his own family as they needed cancer related care.

“This is close to home for me,” he said. “When I found out I would be working on this project I was quite excited about it because of what it means to me personally.”

Merritt recalled, “When my wife turned 26 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and she went through six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy.”

At the time the young family was living in Logan. They traveled to Ogden for the radiation part of the treatment. Chemotherapy was administered in Logan.

Treatments allowed for a brief recovery until 2020 when she was “diagnosed with her second bout with cancer,” Merritt recalled.

This time they traveled to the University of Utah Huntsman Center for care, but it came just as health care facilities were addressing the complications associated with a national covid outbreak. “It was really difficult for me because I had to leave her at the door of Huntsman and drive away because they would not allow patients to have family members at that time.”

He said, “fortunately she didn’t need to have chemotherapy, but whenever you hear that dreaded ‘C’ word — Cancer, — it changes your perspective on things.”

With those personal experience he noted the importance of an expanded oncology and infusion center in Star Valley. “To be able to offer care this close to home it’s such an amazing service,” he said.

“You’re already sick, you’re already tired, you’re already struggling so for people to be able to have this here, it’s just an amazing service. I am so grateful for that.”

He credited visiting oncologist Dr. Richard Johnson of Intermountan Health Care for his contribution to the center with the related telehealth service. “Technology has allowed us to do some great things here in Star Valley,” he advised.

“I’m grateful we can have this so close to home and for the wonderful people who helped make this possible.”

For Dr. Johnson, it was an emotional experience to help open the center as he emphasized the importance of the new center for Star Valley.

“If  I start crying,” he warned, it’s because of what a community does for those who need it the most.”

“I guarantee you that your family and friends who will use this center, unfortunately, will need it the most.”

He continued, “Thank You for your service, it is incredible.”