In 1968, medical oncologist Thomas Troeger, MD had a dream to advance the fight against cancer in northern Indiana. He wanted to make cutting-edge cancer care more available to patients in this region by working openly with local hospitals, family physicians and specialists. So Dr. Troeger opened a small cancer treatment center in downtown South Bend – guided by a unique “open model principle.” More than forty years later, this single practice has grown into the largest network of cancer treatment centers in northern Indiana. Today, Michiana Hematology Oncology works with multiple hospital systems, giving patients more choices and options in the fight against cancer.

In early 2011, the founders of Hematology Oncology Partners in Excellence, widely known around Crown Point as HOPE, announced their retirement. Wanting to continue HOPE’s commitment to the fight against cancer in this community, Ray Drasga, MD asked Michiana Hematology Oncology to keep the mission of HOPE alive. In October 2011, HOPE became the Advanced Center for Cancer Care in Crown Point, providing comprehensive medical oncology and hematology services, 24/7 oncology-certified nurse assistance, access to national clinical trials, 2nd opinion consultations and more.