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New Cancer Center Under Construction

By Chad Petri Reporter

Published: Thu, August 21, 2008 - 3:45 am Last Updated: Wed, September 03, 2008 - 3:56 pm

Short URL: http://wkrg.com/a/17099/

Chad Petri

The 80-million dollar Mitchell cancer center institute is slated for a grand opening in November. High ceilings and large windows allow sunlight to flood its wide open hallways.

“This building does integrate and combine research and care activities in a way that inspires hope in patients,” says Director Doctor Mike Boyd. Boyd says one part of the building is devoted to research. There are rows and rows of lab stations. On the other side, patients will be cared for in a community setting.

“A building like this does get a lot of public attention, curiosity we've been able to launch some very high quality clinical programs,” says Boyd.

On the ground floor you'll find the latest in cancer treatment technology. A Cyber-Knife is still under construction. The computer controlled particle accelerator will allow doctors to zap tumors that may be near delicate, vital organs.

“Literally enables the physician to plan a treatment to shoot and destroy tumors in the lung that are moving with respiration or tumors of the pancreas,” says Boyd. The institute is designed to house more than 200 employees and handle more than 35-thousand patient visits a year. More than two years went into the design process of this building; they're putting an emphasis on space and openness, which allows the different people in the cancer treatment process to intermingle.

“To enable our physicians our physician scientists and our bench researchers to do their thing so to speak,” says Boyd. The center is slated for a grand opening on November 3rd.