Former Saint Albert students help guide retired athletic director’s cancer care close to home

Over decades in education – including 35 at Saint Albert Catholic in Council Bluffs – Ken Schreiber has impacted countless young lives. 

Little did he know that two of his former students – now both Methodist Health System doctors – would have roles in helping him beat nasopharyngeal cancer.

In 2021, Schreiber began experiencing significant sinus issues. He visited his primary care provider, Christian Jones, MD, three times at Methodist Physicians Clinic - Jennie Edmundson Medical Plaza. Unable to pinpoint the issue, Dr. Jones referred Schreiber to a Boys Town National Research Hospital ear, nose and throat specialist who discovered and surgically removed a tumor from his nasal passage. The tumor was later found to be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, one of the most common viruses in the world.

Schreiber’s breathing immediately improved, but he wasn’t out of the woods. He was then referred to another familiar face, Andrew Coughlin, MD, a head and neck surgical oncologist with Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center, and his team for radiation treatments. 

"I immediately said, 'Wow.' You know, he's he was a student of mine," Schreiber said. "I knew Andrew would do just a fantastic job because he's so focused and so hard working with everything he does. So it was a great situation. It's a great seeing him again and getting to know him again in a different role."

Under Dr. Coughlin's care, and thanks to Methodist’s outreach network, Schreiber was able to complete his 35 treatments at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. Offering that care in western Iowa is particularly satisfying for Dr. Coughlin.

"It's just rewarding to be able to give back to the community that you're from," he said. "I always brighten up when I see someone that I knew from childhood or high school on the schedule. ... It's just very rewarding to be able to sit back and know that you've made a difference in their life and for their family."

Toda, Schreiber sees Dr. Coughlin twice a year for surveillance appointments at Jennie Edmundson.

“I don’t mind going to Omaha, but it’s very nice to just be able to go down about a half mile from my house, have the treatments and go and see the doctor,” Schreiber said. “It’s a great thing that they offer those opportunities in Council Bluffs.”

Schreiber, also a prostate cancer survivor, added: “Jan. 7 was four years since my last treatment. Fingers crossed I make it to five and call myself cancer free.”

Media coverage

KMTV: Council Bluffs educator battling cancer treated by former student turned oncologist