In the Upper Peninsula, healthcare is often defined by distance. For many patients, especially those facing complex diagnoses like cancer, that distance can mean hours on the road, time away from work and family, and added stress during an already difficult journey. At Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson Cancer Center, the goal is simple but powerful: bring high-quality, compassionate cancer care closer to home.
A New Chapter in Cancer Care
Located on the east end of the Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson campus in Iron Mountain, the Cancer Center officially opened in its current, fully integrated form in July 2024. This wasn’t just a renovation—it was a $26 million investment in rural healthcare, built with the help of local contractors and supported by $3 million raised from the surrounding community.
While chemotherapy services have been available locally since the late 1990s and radiation therapy since late 2000, this new facility represents something different: a unified, modern space designed entirely around the patient experience. Today, it stands as one of only two comprehensive cancer centers in the Upper Peninsula—serving more than 1,000 patients annually across 68 ZIP codes. In 2025 alone, the Dickinson Cancer Center saw 864 patients in the Hematology/Oncology clinic with 3,569 chemotherapy treatments given. At the same time, the Radiation Oncology unit saw 354 patients with 3,733 total patient visits and 2,777 radiation treatments given. Most of these patients came from the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin, particularly Dickinson, Iron, Delta, Marinette, and Florence counties.
Comprehensive Care, All in One Place
At its core, the Cancer Center was designed to simplify a complex journey. By bringing medical oncology, radiation therapy, surgical oncology, and clinical trials together under one roof, patients can access the full continuum of cancer care in one place, without leaving the region or navigating multiple facilities. This comprehensive wraparound system also facilitates increased collaboration between providers and staff.
Services range from imaging and biopsy to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted treatments, and advanced radiation therapies. Clinical trials, offered locally through the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, ensure that patients in rural communities have access to emerging treatments typically associated with larger academic centers. This integrated model not only improves coordination among providers but also allows patients to focus on what matters most: healing.
Designed with Patients in Mind
Every detail of the Cancer Center reflects a commitment to comfort, dignity, and safety. The facility includes 12 private infusion rooms, each equipped with heated massage recliners and televisions—small touches that can make long treatment days more manageable. Dedicated spaces like private radiation waiting areas, consultation rooms, a nutrition lounge, and even a patient library create an environment that feels welcoming rather than clinical. Importantly, the Cancer Center also offers a separate reception area, helping protect immunocompromised patients and providing an added layer of privacy.
The Human Side of Rural Oncology
Technology and facilities matter—but what truly defines care here is the people. The Cancer Center’s integrated care team includes oncologists, surgeons, nurse practitioners, dosimetrists, genetic counselors, nutritionists, behavioral health professionals, and patient navigators. Together, they provide personalized, holistic care from diagnosis through survivorship. In a rural community, those providers are often more than clinicians—they are neighbors and familiar faces. That connection shapes how care is delivered. Patients aren’t just names on a chart; they are part of the community and their successes—ringing the bell after treatment, returning to daily life—are shared victories. Staff at Marshfield Clinic shared that “There is no greater honor than having patients taking on the biggest battle of their lives choose you to help them”.
The patient experience at the Dickinson Cancer Center is influenced by more than just the staff and providers that work there. Their success is also deeply tied to overwhelming community support. From philanthropic giving through the Marshfield Clinic Foundation to volunteer-driven initiatives—like assembling comfort items for patients—local residents play an active role in shaping the care experience.
Breaking Down Barriers to Access
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. One of the most significant barriers in the Upper Peninsula is distance. Some patients travel more than 100 miles for care, creating financial and emotional strain for both patients and caregivers. To help ease that burden, the Cancer Center offers patient navigation and financial counseling services via designated cancer navigators and financial care counselors. These programs and staff connect individuals with resources such as gas cards, mileage reimbursement, and food assistance, while also helping them understand and manage the cost of care and identify assistance programs that may help alleviate some of the financial burden associated with care. Services such as this help patients to focus on what’s really important and decrease the stress already associated with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.
There is also a persistent misconception that patients must travel to larger cities for better treatment. In reality, the Cancer Center offers the same advanced technologies and therapies found in metropolitan areas—delivered with a level of personalization that is often only possible in a community-based setting.
Patients in Iron Mountain have access to state-of-the-art treatment technologies, including advanced radiation systems like Varian TrueBeam and techniques such as Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Stereotactic Radio Surgery (SRS), and Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). These tools allow for highly precise, targeted treatment—improving outcomes while minimizing side effects. Combined with a full range of oncology therapies and access to clinical trials through National Cancer Institute-sponsored research networks, the Cancer Center is helping close the gap between rural and urban cancer care.
Growing the Future of Healthcare in the U.P.
As the Cancer Center continues to grow, so does its impact—not only on patients, but on the future healthcare workforce in the region. At the same time, recruitment remains a critical need. Attracting oncologists and specialized providers to rural areas is an ongoing challenge, but efforts are expanding through Marshfield Clinic's affiliation with Sanford Health, which allows connection to a broader network of professionals and recruiters. The beauty of the U.P., the kind and caring people who live here, the opportunity for deeply impactful work, and work-life balance remain some of the biggest draws to working in the region.
Beyond addressing current workforce needs, the Dickinson Cancer Center is also committed to developing the healthcare workforce of tomorrow. This is perhaps no better evidenced than through their support of the 2025 Northern Michigan University Center for Rural Health Upper Peninsula Future Health Leaders Camp (U.P. FHLC). This annual health education and career exploration camp provides information on healthy living and exposure to possible career paths within the healthcare field for 9th and 10th grade students in the U.P. By supporting programs such as this, which introduce students to a wide array of professional fields like nursing, medicine, radiography, surgical technology, and nutrition, Dickinson Cancer Center is helping students in the U.P. to consider pursuing a career in healthcare and more importantly, to consider doing so in their home region. As students participate in this program, they are able to see the many ways they could fit and make an impact within the healthcare delivery system in the U.P. Engaging them in an event like this increases their exposure to what could be a long-lasting connection to a very noble and rewarding profession.
Beyond this, the Dickinson Cancer Center also provides opportunities for current health sciences students to engage in research and patient care. Offering these opportunities early and often not only generates pathways and professional connections for local students to build meaningful careers without leaving the U.P., it also keeps our region top of mind for students who leave the region to pursue further education, but come back in search of employment.
This multi-pronged approach to recruitment and workforce development is the best way to address both current and future needs.
Exceptional Care Right At Home
The story of the Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson Cancer Center is one of transformation. It’s about challenging the idea that rural communities must travel elsewhere for specialized care—and proving that world-class treatment can exist right here in the Upper Peninsula.
By combining advanced technology, compassionate care, and strong community roots, the Cancer Center is doing more than treating cancer. It’s improving access, strengthening the local healthcare system, and inspiring the next generation of providers.
In a region where distance has long been a barrier, this work is making something clear: patients don’t have to leave home to find exceptional care—they can find it right here in the U.P.
Get Connected
The Dickinson Cancer Center is located on the east end of the Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson campus (1721 South Stephenson Avenue, Iron Mountain, MI 49801).
Patients wishing to have their cancer treatments done at the Dickinson Cancer Center should ask their physician to send a referral to be seen in the clinic. The clinic can be reached by phone: (906) 776-5890 or by fax: (906) 776-5899.
For current medical professionals, the Dickinson Cancer Center is actively recruiting an additional Medical Oncologist and with that hire will come the need for additional support staff (clinic nurses, chemo nurses, LPNs, etc.). Additional providers and staff will allow them to see more patients and continue to expand their reach.
For those interested in donating time, talents, or treasure Marshfield Clinic has a very robust philanthropy department that solicits funding to support many projects throughout the health system. Donors are able to connect with a gift officer who can assist them in structuring their gift in a way that has the most impact for them personally as well as for the patients they want to help. For more information, click the link to the Donation Page. Those interested in volunteering can find more information at the Volunteer Page.