RADIATION ONCOLOGIST WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE JOINS KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL TO HELP CANCER PATIENTS ON HAWAII ISLAND
KEALAKEKUA – West Hawaii Region is pleased to announce that Carl R. Jenson, M.D., a board-certified radiation oncologist with 41 years of clinical and research experience, is joining Kona Community Hospital (KCH) as a full-time, permanent provider. 
“I’m very happy to be part of the cancer center at this wonderful hospital,” said Dr. Jenson.
He will be one of three permanent oncology providers serving patients at KCH, which is the only medical facility on the neighbor islands with a full contingent of permanent oncology providers.
“Having three permanent oncology providers at Kona is a true blessing from a rural neighbor island standpoint,” said Amy Feeley-Austin, KCH’s Chief Operating Officer. “This is demonstrative of the major strides that we’re making in recruiting and retaining skilled providers.”
Dr. Jenson moved to Hawaii Island from Oregon, where he had been working for the past four years as a radiation oncologist and medical director at Bay Area Hospital – Radiation Therapy Center in Coos Bay, and as a radiation oncologist and clinical liaison at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.
Since relocating to West Hawaii, Dr. Jenson has been caring for oncology patients at KCH on a temporary, “visiting provider” basis, and he is now joining the team permanently.
“So far, I have enjoyed teaming up with KCH’s skilled medical oncology providers and surgeons to care for our patients,” said Dr. Jenson. “The staff here is fantastic, and I am delighted to become a permanent part of the team.”
“This is a provider who is already very well-liked by patients and staff – a compassionate, genuine physician that will stay in our community for a number of years. This permanency is particularly important to cancer patients and survivors who will see their providers frequently and on an ongoing basis,” said Feeley-Austin. “Patients going through challenging, life-changing events like cancer treatment need to know and trust their doctor. Our patients really appreciate forming a relationship and knowing their doctors will be there for the long haul. From my perspective, the addition of Dr. Jenson ensures continuity of care.”
Dr. Jenson has also previously worked in Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, Michigan, and Washington in both medical and leadership roles.
He received his Doctor of Medicine degree in radiation oncology from Oregon Health & Science University and completed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.