From the moment you step inside, even amongst the construction equipment and paint cans, you can tell the new SolutionHealth cancer center at Elliot Health System has been thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of patients and their loved ones. From the welcoming and bright lobby area, to the state-of-the-art-technology, to the meditation room creating a feeling of calm, space is intended to treat the whole person.
For over 30 years, the Elliot Regional Cancer Center offered Radiation Oncology services. The new center will continue to offer those services, as well as Medical Oncology services, allowing for more comprehensive care for our patients.
The grand opening is set for August 3, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, construction is on schedule.
When construction is complete, there will be 15 infusion bays that will overlook the meditation garden for patients who will potentially be sitting there for 4+ hours receiving IV therapy. There will be an in-house lab that will be tied to the current tube-transport system for the hospital, which will allow for quick results. There will also be an in-house pharmacy for drug mixing, a wealth of exam rooms, and an expansive nursing station.
On the radiation side, there is a new Varian TrueBeam Linac System that allows for more accurate and focused treatments. It has been running since March 24 and has already performed over 200 treatments.
Construction to “refresh” Radiation Oncology has been on hold for COVID-19 precautions since patients are still being treated. “We’re hoping it will be back up and running soon. This will give our department a much-needed update to match the newer colors and styling of Medical Oncology in order to have the picture of one seamless cancer center,” Genesis Sullivan, BSN, RN, at the Elliot says.
We are continuing to fundraise and have stretched our goal to support the opening of the new cancer center. We have had and continue to have tremendous support from our community for the Hope is Here Campaign, even as we face this COVID-19 crisis. Since early March, we have secured nearly $1 million in support, and the campaign now stands at $12.25M on our original goal of $10M.
