Continuing advancements in the quality of our cancer care highlighted the past year, both in terms of the clinical treatments we offered and the dedicated team of health care professionals who administered the services and support to our patients.
Perhaps the most visible evidence of Lakeland HealthCare's commitment to being the leader in safe, high-quality, patient-centered, compassionate, health-related services is the new Marie Yeager Cancer Center now under construction. We formally announced our plans for the new 30,000-square-foot facility at the Lakeland Health Park in Royalton Township in 2009, and broke ground in April 2010.
In addition to the full continuum of cancer care services that will be available at the new center, the facility's design was thoughtfully considered to promote healing. Led by an advisory board of medical professionals, former cancer patients, and other southwest Michigan residents, plans include incorporating natural light, soothing artwork, a healing garden, and a rooftop garden visible from the second floor. We expect to begin providing care to patients in the new center in the summer of 2011.
A truly exciting addition to Lakeland Radiation Oncology's array of cancer-fighting tools is the use of stereotactic radiosurgery, or SRS. SRS uses focused beams of radiation to treat small lesions in the brain or body with minimal or no damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The radiation beam is shaped to provide precise control over the affected area, and optical positioning technology provides continuous confirmation of patient positioning in real time. SRS may be employed when conventional surgery is not recommended or if the lesion is not responding to chemotherapy.
Oncology services available at the Health Park will include:
Diagnostic imaging
Outpatient surgery
Laboratory services
Patient education and resource library
Screenings
Infusion services
Pharmacy
Physical therapy
Lymphedema services
Hospice and palliative care resources
On-site boutique and appearance center for current and former cancer patients
Shared space for community organizations such as Berrien County Cancer Services and the American Cancer Society.
