Our Affiliates: The Power and Importance of the Local Oncologist
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Healing in the Heart of the Mountain West
When, began medical school, her aspirations leaned toward obstetrics and gynecology, driven by a passion for women鈥檚 health. But a clinical rotation with a lung cancer specialist altered her course. 鈥淪he was so deeply connected with her patients,鈥 Bigger recalls. 鈥淚 realized oncology wasn鈥檛 just about treating cancer鈥攊t was about building relationships and supporting people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.鈥
That connection, a blend of scientific precision and human empathy, led her to pursue a career in oncology. It鈥檚 a journey that has taken her from running an oncology clinic in Botswana to practicing at one of Boston鈥檚 largest hospitals. But it was the rugged beauty and unique challenges of the Mountain West that ultimately called her to Helena, Montana.
Bigger joined in 2023. 鈥淲hen I interviewed here, my heart told me this was where I could make a difference,鈥 she says.
Challenges in a Resource-Limited Environment
The transition from a world-renowned, big-city institution to a small clinic in rural Montana wasn鈥檛 without its hurdles. St. Peter鈥檚 Cancer Care had weathered years of turnover, and resources were scarce. The clinic operates with just two to three oncologists at any given time, requiring adaptability and innovation to meet patients鈥 needs.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a learning curve when you work in a place like this,鈥 Bigger admits. 鈥淵ou have to figure out which patients can be treated locally and which need to be referred elsewhere. It鈥檚 about being resourceful and building trust within the team and community.鈥
That trust extends beyond the clinic walls. Affiliates with Huntsman Cancer Institute have been critical in ensuring patients receive advanced care when they need it. Bigger recounts the story of a multiple myeloma patient who initially refused to travel for care due to financial concerns and fear of the unknown. 鈥淚 knew if she didn鈥檛 go, she wouldn鈥檛 survive,鈥 Bigger says. With the help of Huntsman Cancer Institute, the patient received lifesaving treatment, and today, she鈥檚 back in Helena with an improved outlook.
Compassion and Collaboration
Bigger approaches each patient as an individual, prioritizing their autonomy and preferences. 鈥淐ancer takes so much control away from people,鈥 she says. 鈥淓ven small decisions鈥攍ike adjusting treatment schedules or choosing supplements鈥攃an give patients a sense of agency. It鈥檚 about collaboration, not dictation.鈥
Families, too, play a vital role in this process. Bigger often sees loved ones stepping in as advocates, ensuring that patients鈥 voices are heard. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a team effort, both in the clinic and at home,鈥 she says.
Under Bigger鈥檚 leadership, St. Peter鈥檚 Health Cancer Care has begun to stabilize and grow. She credits her team, including her nurse practitioner Melissa Cotner, for their dedication and adaptability.
Together, they鈥檙e working to expand services, from administering advanced therapies to exploring the possibility of collaborating with Huntsman Cancer Institute on local clinical trials.
鈥淭hese treatments save lives,鈥 Bigger says. 鈥淲ith the right training and resources, we can offer more of them here, so patients don鈥檛 have to travel.鈥 For Bigger, oncology is more than a career; it鈥檚 a calling. Whether in Africa or Montana, her mission remains the same: to ensure everyone, regardless of their resources, receives quality treatment.
鈥淓veryone deserves a chance,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he work is hard but knowing I鈥檓 helping people get the cancer care they need makes it all worthwhile.鈥