 |
An artist’s rendering of the new cancer center being built in west Omaha by UNMC’s hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, and UNMC Physicians. Plans call for the new cancer center to open in fall of 2008. |
The new center will offer cancer patients the greatest variety of outpatient treatment options and comprehensive cancer care services in one convenient location.
“Increasing demand for our services at The Nebraska Medical Center’s nationally-accredited cancer center requires us to expand our facilities. We feel there is no better place to do that than in west Omaha,” said Glenn Fosdick, president and CEO of The Nebraska Medical Center. “We want to make sure the highest level of cancer resources is available and convenient to this community.”
“This is the first step in our plan to bring serious medicine to our patients in west Omaha,” said Rodney Markin, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of UNMC Physicians. “We will be announcing other expansion plans in the future.”
“We have seen tremendous growth in cancer patient volume at The Nebraska Medical Center. This clinical cancer center is our way of responding to the expectations of our patients, offering comprehensive quality care by experts in the fields of medical radiation and surgical oncology,” said Theresa Franco, cancer service line executive director at The Nebraska Medical Center. “Easy access and convenience are also critical for our cancer patients who may need multiple radiation therapy or chemotherapy treatments. Our patients will have these features at our new west Omaha site.”
The Nebraska Medical Center — UNMC’s hospital partner — is recognized nationally and internationally for its cancer services and providing cutting-edge cancer treatments. The new clinical cancer center will further the goal of delivering world-class, patient-centered care.
“The west Omaha clinical cancer center will offer state-of-the-art technology, clinical care and cancer research options, which mirror many treatments delivered at The Nebraska Medical Center’s midtown campus,” said Julie Vose, M.D., chief of oncology/hematology at UNMC. “The new site will allow patients who live in the western part of our city to receive those same services from internationally renowned specialists in cancer care without traveling to midtown Omaha.”
In the new 49,000-square-foot building, services will include radiation treatments, surgical procedures, medical therapies, radiology and laboratory support. Those components will offer cancer patients a full-service, multidisciplinary approach to their care. The cancer center will also address other needs such as physical rehabilitation, professional wig-fitting and cosmetic advice to help patients look and feel their best.
 |
Charles Enke, M.D., chairman of radiation oncology at UNMC, speaks during a news conference on Tuesday to announce the development of the new west Omaha cancer center as Julie Vose, M.D., chief of oncology/hematology at UNMC, looks on. |
“Due to The Nebraska Medical Center’s participation in clinical trials, our cancer patients will have access to the latest innovative surgical approaches and technology to treat cancer in the Omaha community,” said Jim Edney, M.D., chief of surgical oncology at UNMC.
Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, also spoke at the news conference. He said the new cancer center will provide additional opportunities for UNMC researchers to involve more patients in clinical research trials.
The Nebraska Medical Center Clinical Cancer Center will occupy the majority of the medical office building currently being developed by Dana Group LLC.
Other members of the project team include architectural firm, Altus Architectural Studios and Kiewit Building Group.
The estimated project cost is $34 million. The cancer center is expected to be completed in fall 2008.