New cancer treatment center opens at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon
Built around the patient’s experience, a new center offering comprehensive cancer services has opened.
The Cancer Care Center of O’Fallon, located at 321 Regency Park, opened Monday. It has space leased to both St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and the Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois.
Justin Floyd, president of Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois, said partnering with HSHS St. Elizabeth’s has allowed them to provide multi-disciplinary care in a single location, further reducing barriers and burdens on cancer patients.
“We believe this facility will improve access to the most up-to-date cancer treatments as well as enhance the availability of tomorrow’s treatments through the National Cancer Institute and industry-funded cancer research.” Floyd said.
Floyd also addressed the current coronavirus pandemic.
“This opening comes at a time of an unparalleled health crisis. In an attempt to promote patient safety and reduce potential hospital cancer-related admissions during the COVID-19 crisis, we are caring for our active cancer patients in the new center while implementing infection control screening procedures, actively using telemedicine, and reducing patient and non-patient traffic through the facility,” he said.
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital President and CEO Patti Fischer said the radiation oncology services are an extension of their mission to deliver high-quality Franciscan health care.
“The facility will allow cancer patients the opportunity to receive innovative and advanced radiation and medical oncology treatments in a location that keeps them close to home where family and friends can support them during this difficult time in their lives,” Fischer said. “It brings experienced cancer specialists to the community.”
St. Elizabeth’s has the only cancer program in the southwestern Illinois service area to be designated by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
The clinic will benefit patients from across the region, especially those from smaller communities served by other HSHS hospitals — St. Joseph’s in Highland, St. Joseph’s in Breese and Holy Family in Greenville.
The 31,000 square foot building was constructed by Green Mount Enterprises.
Dr. Mark Walshauser, president of Green Mount Enterprises, said the center was built around the cancer patient’s experience.
“The building is one-story, ground level high, so patients never have to transverse stairs. To further allow ease of use, direct entrances are available to both the radiation and chemotherapy treatment areas. With Highway 64 access minutes from the Cancer Center, patients in surrounding communities now have better access to their doctors and treatment. Being located adjacent to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, patients in need of extended services, such as ultrasound and MRI, have everything they need close by,” Walshauser said.
Fischer said they were excited to collaborate with Cancer Care Specialists to offer the area a new advanced, spacious and comfortable place, but the COVID-19 crisis has delayed their joint plans for a grand opening.
“The safety of our patients, colleagues, providers and community is our No. 1 priority,” she said, noting a public event may be planned in the future so residents can see what an asset it is for the region’s health care.
Cancer center offering many services
Services and features of the new center include: Radiation oncology services, medical oncology and hematology services, research and clinical trials (affiliations with National Cancer Institute, University of Chicago, NSABP Foundation, pharmaceutical industry, and more), and diagnostic, consultation and follow-up services; cancer screenings, cancer prevention and wellness programs; education and support; genetic testing and counseling; imaging (Bone Densitometry, CT, PET); laboratory; chemotherapy, infusion therapy and immunotherapy; radiation linear accelerator and CT-simulator; intensity modulated radiation therapy’ image-guided radiation therapy; stereotactic radiosurgery; and stereotactic body radiotherapy.
For more information about Hospital Sisters Health System, visit www.hshs.org, and for the new center, www.CancerCareSpecialists.org.