Aspirus St. Luke's Launches Cancer Rehabilitation Program

On February 23, St. Luke’s celebrated the launch of its Survivorship Training and Rehabilitation (STAR) Program with a short ceremony and an opportunity for the public to meet the STAR certified team.

The STAR Program provides individualized treatment plans for cancer patients. These comprehensive plans focus on increasing strength, improving energy, managing pain, and decreasing symptoms affecting function and quality of life. Sharon Lahti, St. Luke’s rehabilitation manager, explained, “Through the STAR program, we can continue to fulfill our commitment to the patient above all else.”

The yearlong certification initiative involved numerous providers across departments and STAR certified therapists are available at St. Luke’s clinics across the region, including the Iron Range. “The group of cancer survivors is growing and over one half have impairments that affect their quality of life,” said Dr. Anne Silva-Benedict, St. Luke’s Regional Cancer Center oncologist. “The STAR Program allows these impairments to be recognized and works to improve quality of life and empower patients.”