Cancer Center to Welcome Patients Next Month
Cancer attacks people in numerous ways, from tumors that eat away bone or muscle to weakening immune systems, as well as leaving patients with little appetite or drive to fight. That’s why cancer specialists often work in tandem with specialists in other areas, such as nutrition, psychology and pain relief. This is one reason Munson Medical Center decided to put all those treatment areas under one roof.
The Cowell Family Cancer Center is scheduled to begin welcoming patients in February, with all its components and features online by April. The $45 million facility will allow patients to undergo surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy; receive dietary, psychological, social services and genetics counseling; and avail themselves of spiritual guidance, preventive medicine and other services, all without having to visit several different medical facilities.
"We had 12 departments at various locations," said Kathleen LaRaia, executive director of the cancer center. "Diagnostic tests at the hospital, radiation at another site, office visits at another. It was not coordinated."
LaRaia said meetings and open houses with the staff that will now be housed at the cancer center provided everyone with a greater understanding of the cancer team at Munson.
"Over 160 people suddenly realized they all treated patients.
They were asking each other, "˜Who are all these people?’" All cancer-related activities will now be housed at the new facility, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, infusion services, cancer genetics, cardio oncology, multidisciplinary thoracic oncology, surgical subspecialties and integrated healing medicine.
The last is one of the most exciting developments, according to Christa Kiessel, clinical director of the cancer center.
"What I am most excited about is having patients walk in the door and see something that blows them away, that helps enhance their comfort," said Kiessel. She said the second floor suite will offer massage, acupuncture, yoga and other healing therapies, as well as skin care, wigs and other components designed to promote healing of mind and spirit, as well as body.
The new facility will cover three above ground floors, plus a basement, totaling more than 100,000 square feet. Kiessel described it as both welcoming and healing.
"We did just as much work in programmatic development as in the physical building," she said.
In addition to treatment for the 1,700 people diagnosed with cancer each year in the region, the center will also offer classes, lectures and other initiatives to promote screening and prevention. Recent studies demonstrate that healthy lifestyle changes can help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of recurrence.
"Studies show how breast cancer survivors exercising and maintaining a healthy weight are less likely to see cancer return," said Kiessel.
As an example, Kiessel said the first floor café will serve delicious, healthy food choices.
"We will work with dieticians to show how food is medicine," she said.
Construction of the facility has taken nearly all of the two years originally projected when ground was broken in May of 2013, although planning for the center actually began several years prior, but the idea was put on hold when the economy tanked in 2008. A $5 million gift from Casey Cowell rekindled the plan.
"That was the tipping point," said Kiessel. LaRaia said the enthusiasm and financial backing of persons who have been directly affected by the disease and others who recognize the positive impact of a cancer center were crucial to the project’s success. "The community [support] has been phenomenal," she said.
Various groups and individuals supported the program to the tune of $18.5 million through the Munson Healthcare Foundation, with the remainder of the funds coming from Munson.
Munson formed a cancer program advisory council in 2013 to solicit input from cancer survivors and caregivers regarding resources, services, building design and new programs.
The cancer center will include the most advanced treatment options, including stereotactic radiosurgery with the Varian TrueBeamâ„¢ medical linear accelerator, which is used for inoperable and difficult to reach tumors. In addition, Munson will purchase two new linear accelerators, which will be used by the majority of patients undergoing radiation therapy. Other technological enhancements will include 3-D breast imaging tomosynthesis, endoscopic ultrasound for diagnosing GI cancers and endobronchial ultrasound for lung cancer.
The use of technology will extend to a new electronic patient record system, which will enable all caregivers to coordinate their efforts and communicate more easily.
LaRaia said the cancer center will also help in recruiting efforts. "We already have a terrific staff of highly qualified physicians. This will give us an advantage in further recruitment," she said.
"Many people had treatment and [they and] business people who moved here wanted to see all the treatment under one roof. They knew that would help attract physicians more than medical offices," she said.
Cowell Family Cancer Center will serve as a regional hub for residents of northern Michigan. Patients will receive a multidisciplinary, coordinated treatment plan and may receive some of their services at infusion clinics in communities throughout northern Michigan. It will also encourage smoother cooperative efforts with other cancer centers, such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Karmanos Cancer Center and Beaumont Hospital.
Through a partnership with University of Michigan, Munson is adding clinical trials in several areas. It also plans to expand its capacity for pediatric cancer care through the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology clinic currently operating at Munson Medical Center.
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