MONTICELLO - Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois will soon open an oncology specialty clinic at Kirby Hospital in Monticello.

Dr. Maria Grosse Perdekamp, a medical oncologist who lives in Monticello, will be a member of the Kirby Hospital medical staff, and she will start to see patients each Tuesday morning starting Dec. 6.

"The clinic will allow patients to receive much of their care and treatment close to home," Perdekamp said. "And they will have access to state-of-the-art care and National Cancer Institute-sponsored research programs."

Services will include initial exams to confirm diagnosis, review of patient history and medical records, discussion of treatment goals and options and administration of various treatment therapies.

Perdekamp received her doctor of medicine degree from Albert Ludwigs University in Germany. She completed a residency program at Yale Primary Care Internal Medicine Program in Connecticut and completed a fellowship in oncology and hematology at State University New York-Stony Brook University Hospital. She also belongs to national and state medical organizations.

"Dr. Perdekamp is a kind and caring physician who has extensive experience treating patients with cancer and blood disorders," said Dr. James Wade III, founder of Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois. "She is truly committed to helping cancer patients in Central Illinois and will provide an invaluable resource to the community."

Patients may be referred to Perdekamp by their physician or may schedule an appointment by calling Kirby Hospital, 762-2115, or Cancer Care Specialists' main office in Decatur, 876-6600.