Medical oncologist/hematologist returns to Iowa to join Mission Cancer + Blood
Algona native Sydney Brehany educates and empowers her patients in Des Moines and Fort Dodge
After completing a fellowship in hematology/medical oncology at the University of Colorado, Sydney Brehany, MD, started her first position at a private practice setting in Colorado. She learned essential skills from the experience, specializing in breast, gynecologic, and hereditary cancers.
A native of the north-central Iowa community of Algona, Brehany decided to move back to Iowa in 2025, bringing her specialized cancer expertise with her.
“My husband and I thought it would be nice to raise our growing family nearer to my family, who still live in Algona and central Iowa," Brehany says. “Now that we’re back in Iowa, that ‘Iowa nice’ is really clear. You see it in your neighbors, people at the grocery store, and people you walk by on the street.”
As Brehany was evaluating job opportunities in central Iowa, she wanted to join an organization that prioritized outstanding cancer care and patient education for rural Iowans and offered a great workplace for physicians.
“I view part of my role as education: educating our patients on what the disease is, what stage it is, what the treatment options are, and what they entail. I want my patients to understand what they have and feel like they have a voice in the decision-making,” she says.
Brehany found her opportunity with Mission Cancer + Blood, part of University of Iowa Health Care, and joined the Mission staff in January 2025.
She was drawn to its unique community model, keeping high-quality cancer care local for patients. Based in Des Moines, she also sees patients in Fort Dodge, Iowa, less than an hour's drive from her hometown.
When she was looking for a job, Brehany had a few things in mind for what makes a workplace great for physicians: a supportive culture, mentorship opportunities, and resources and appreciation to encourage growth.
She found that at Mission, these qualities are part of the team’s everyday experience.
“What set Mission apart for me was the structure and culture of the practice itself. As a larger group, Mission offers diverse perspectives and better coverage for our patients,” Brehany says.
Mission’s integration with UI Health Care in late 2024 gives Mission the autonomy and flexibility of a private practice while being able to tap into the resources and stability of an academic health system. UI Health Care includes Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Iowa’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.
Now, as part of UI Health Care, Mission’s established clinical trials program is expanding. This partnership encourages increased collaboration with specialists, which enhances both patient care and professional development.
Additionally, tools like AI-assisted charting — introduced through UI Health Care — have significantly reduced documentation time, improving both efficiency and work-life balance.
“It truly feels like the best of both worlds,” Brehany says.