New Cancer Center To Combine DMH Cancer Care Institute And Cancer Care Specialists Of Central Illinois At One Location

January 31, 2007
For More Information Contact: Mike Cassell, Marketing Director, 876-3232

Plans are underway for the DMH Cancer Care Institute and Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, S.C., to come together at a newly constructed facility located east of the Greater Decatur Y.

Currently, the DMH Cancer Care Institute is on the ground floor of Decatur Memorial Hospital, while Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois is located at 2880 N. Monroe Street in Decatur. Groundbreaking for the new center, to house both organizations, is scheduled to begin this summer, with construction being completed by September 2008.

“This new cancer facility is a win-win for the Decatur community,” said Ken Smithmier, DMH President & CEO. “By having all the outpatient cancer services, technology, and treatment together under one roof, everyone is working together for the common goal—the patients.”

The new two-story 53,000 square foot facility will include the full spectrum of oncology outpatient services, all easily accessible to patients, their families, caregivers and the community. Although the new building will include separate components for the DMH Cancer Care Institute and Cancer Care Specialists, it is designed principally to enhance patient convenience. The building will include six components: Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Medical Imaging, Cancer Research, Complementary Medicine, and Administrative services.

The Radiation Oncology Department of DMH will continue to provide state-of-the-art technologically advanced treatment to outpatients. Available will be the most sophisticated approaches including Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), and Image Gated Therapy. Radionuclide and radio immunotherapy will also be offered.

The Medical Oncology program of Cancer Care Specialists will continue to provide the entire range of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for hematologic and neoplastic disorders. Included will be a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified diagnostic laboratory and a chemotherapy pharmacy for compounding and dispensing both inject able and oral medications. Imaging with the latest CT-PET technology will be used to evaluate and monitor response to treatment. In addition, patients will be able to receive their infusions in either treatment suites or private rooms. A patient navigator familiar with the facility and all the programs will assist patients and families in obtaining all available support services. Preventive oncology and genetic counseling will also be available.

The Cancer Research programs of both organizations will continue their strong traditions of providing a broad menu of the latest cancer treatment and prevention studies. The Central Illinois Community Clinical Oncology Program, which is directly funded by the National Cancer Institute, will base its operations in the new facility. This nationally recognized program currently offers more than ninety clinical trials covering all tumor types. The Cancer Research program also is a component of the University of Chicago Cancer Research network. The Cancer Research Program will also include, for the first time, Phase I projects. These studies will be the first nationwide to test newly developed anti-cancer agents.

"Over the last twenty-five years, we have built all the parts needed for a world class cancer program,” said James Wade, M.D., medical director, Medical Oncology. “Now the new comprehensive cancer center will bring all these current strengths, along with new capabilities, together under one roof. Patients, families, and the community will benefit for years to come from this new building and the outstanding capabilities of the people who will staff it."

A Center for Complementary Medicine will round out available clinical services. To help patients through their illness and therapy, a full battery of integrative supportive approaches will be offered. These include nutritional counseling, movement therapy (yoga, tai chi), stress reduction therapies (meditation, guided imagery, massage, reflexology), as well as art and music therapy. The center will also include an area for a patient library and a multimedia classroom for community education.

Critical to an exceptional cancer center is the hospital’s tumor registry, which tracks the treatment and outcomes of patients in our region. This registry, which has been approved and certified by the American College of Surgeons, will be used for ongoing research and will be staffed by experienced registrars.

“This new comprehensive facility will be the premier center for cancer services in central Illinois,” said Edward Elliott, M.D., Medical Director, DMH Radiation Oncology. “Patients will experience a comfortable, supportive, healing environment while they receive the very best therapy.”

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