Mercy Health Partners receives approval for Oncology Expansion

July 13, 2006 –The Michigan Department of Community Health has approved the Oncology Expansion for a Linear Accelerator at Mercy Health Partners. This expansion into radiation therapy will give patients within this community greater access to treatment. No longer will they need to leave MHP to receive this care.

For over 15 years, MHP has been providing oncology services to this community. Earlier this year, MHP’s Cancer Program received Accreditation with Commendation from the American College of Surgeons. Radiation Therapy was one significant form of treatment that was lacking for patients to remain within the MHP system. Patients involved in focus groups sent a clear message that they wanted to receive radiation therapy at MHP.

With this approval of Oncology Services, MHP will begin construction of the Center for Cancer Care at the Mercy Campus. The development of this Center will take place in two phases. Phase 1 will be an addition for the Linear Accelerator. Groundbreaking is anticipated for the fall with an estimated completion date of early 2007. Phase 2 plans continue to be discussed for timing purposes. These plans are for the creation of medical oncology services adjacent to the Linear Accelerator. Additional services will also be provided within the Center for Cancer Care to include diagnostics, psychological and social support, research, education, and alternative medicine therapies.

“The addition of radiation therapy at MHP to complement our Cancer Services is very exciting for this community,” says Roger Spoelman, President and CEO. “We have listened to what our patients have been requesting and it has been verified by the Department of Community Health that MHP met the criteria for the Linear Accelerator.”

Recruitment of a full time radiation oncologist is in the final stages. This physician will work in conjunction with medical oncology to ensure that care is patient focused and customized to meet the individual needs of each patient as well as providing the highest quality care locally.

The vision for this Center for Cancer Care is a comprehensive patient focused center that provides both medical and radiation therapy treatment to cancer patients. Approximately 12,000 patients are currently treated at MHP for their medical oncology needs. Treatment for these patients are through a partnership between MHP and Cancer & Hematology Centers of Western Michigan, which will continue.

MHP is the specialty referral hospital along the lakeshore. MHP’s services include heart and vascular, emergency services, cancer care, orthopedic and spine surgery, urology, bariatric services, a primary care network, nephrology, ENT, laboratory, palliative care and rehabilitation. MHP specializes in a variety of areas through specialized institutes and centers where physicians and staff work collaboratively to provide excellent care to patients. Some of these centers include the Heart and Vascular Institute, the Centers for Women’s Health, the Center for Weight Management, the Imaging Center of Excellence and a state of the art Emergency Center.