Welcome to the Joe Davis Cancer Services BLOG. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Joe Davis and I am the Cancer Services Administrator here at Johnston Memorial Hospital (JMH) in Abingdon, VA. I recently moved here from Roanoke, VA in March of last year.

Since this is our first message, I thought I would tell you a little bit about myself. I was born in Sioux City, Iowa. I hope you do not hold that against me. I joined the Navy at the old age of 17 and then spent the next 25 years serving my country. Something I am very proud of. I started out as a Hospital Corpsman, then an x-ray technician, and finally a Medical Service Corps Officer. I enjoyed every minute I spent in the military and have fond memories that will last forever. I have two sons who have followed in my footsteps and are now serving their country in the Army.

I have been married to my lovely bride for 31 years. I have four children, three boys and a girl, ranging in age from 25 to 30. I am also very proud of my ten grandchildren who range in age from two months to ten years old.

I retired in 1995. I worked for two years in Wash DC before ending up in Roanoke in 1997. It is there that I was first introduced to Cancer. I answered an ad looking for an administrator for an oncology practice. The first time I walked into a chemotherapy treatment room it was quite a shock. 20 patients with IV’s running, nurses tending to their needs, doctors going from exam room to exam room. I had never known anyone with cancer before so I was not prepared for that sight. That would soon change. I was hired and spent the next five years educating myself about cancer. That education process still continues.

During that time, both my father and mother were diagnosed with cancer. My father lost his battle to cancer recently but is in a better place. My mom is doing well and is cancer free. Four years ago I too was diagnosed with Colon Cancer and am now cancer free. This was the kind of education that I was not prepared for. I am a walking testimonial for cancer screenings. It saved my life. There will be more to follow on screening opportunities in the very near future.

One of the things that we could not do in Roanoke was to build a Cancer Center because of state laws and competition from local hospitals. One day I received a phone call asking me if I wanted to come to Abingdon and build a Cancer Center. It took about two seconds to make a decision. This was a chance of a lifetime and I was ready to grab it. It has been a whirlwind of a first year. I’ve been busy getting to know everyone, settling into my new job at the hospital, buying a new home, moving my family, and most importantly working on our new Cancer Center. Things are moving at a fast pace as we move toward the opening of the Cancer Center’s Radiation Department in spring of 2007. The rest of the center is set to come on line a few months later.

Concrete is being poured, steel is being ordered, dirt is being moved everywhere to accommodate all the utilities. It’s quite a sight to see. For those of you who do not know where the Cancer Center will be located, it is off Exit 19, down Route 11 to the DMV and them approximately 200-300 yards farther on the left. Take a drive by and I promise you will feel the excitement of the new cancer center.

As we move along with the building of the Cancer Center, I will use this BLOG to provide updates on where we stand with construction, staffing, and general news about cancer. I hope to continue use of the BLOG after opening the Cancer Center to keep everyone informed and up to date on cancer news here in Washington County. JMH has an exciting year planned. Be on the look out for a new cancer screening program, a new marketing campaign, and other exciting initiatives. Abingdon residents can take pride in knowing that their new cancer center will be something that they can be very proud of and will provide a valuable service for all of Washington County and beyond. Please take this opportunity to send me comments, share stories, and keep me informed on what is happening in the way of cancer care in Southwest Virginia.