Centra Health has submitted a state application to construct a new regional cancer treatment center on the corner of Atherholt and Langhorne roads, and plans to present a second application by Jan. 2 to the state for a new patient care tower at Lynchburg General Hospital.

"Both projects reaffirm our commitment to remaining a regional leader in the delivery of high quality health care," said George W. Dawson, Centra Health president and CEO. "In the face of growing demand, we are very excited about what this is going to mean for our cancer and hospital patients."

Plans for the cancer center call for an approximately 50,000-square-foot free-standing facility that will benefit both patients and physicians by bringing together radiation oncology and medical oncology. Preliminary plans for the Lynchburg General addition show a five-story patient care tower that would include 108 beds to accommodate increasing demand for patient rooms.

Under the state's timetable, Centra Health expects to receive word on its application for the cancer center as early as May, and the patient care tower by early summer. With approval, construction on both projects could begin as early as October.

"Thanks to the excellent reputation of our hospitals and the area's medical community, we're attracting more patients from further away every year," said Rodger W. Fauber, Centra Health board chairman. "These projects are essential to meeting the health care needs of the region now and in the future."

The Cancer Center
The new cancer center would be the centerpiece of Centra Health's comprehensive cancer program, and bring major benefits to cancer patients. Plans include advanced cancer treatment technology such as two dual beam linear accelerators capable of providing Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which accurately deliver high dosages of radiation directly to cancer tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

In addition to advanced technology, patients will also benefit by having a facility totally devoted to enhancing the care and well-being of oncology patients. Today about 40 percent of central Virginia cancer patients receive radiation and chemotherapy concurrently - a treatment plan that means travel between the radiation oncology department at Virginia Baptist and Lynchburg Hematology-Oncology Clinic near Lynchburg General Hospital. In addition, at least 90 percent of these cancer patients could receive treatment in an outpatient setting.

"Bringing all the treatment and cancer support services together in one location will benefit patients," said John Halpin, M.D. "We are consolidating many of the cancer services our patients need in one state-of-the-art facility."

"Many radiation oncology patients need treatments every day," said Joy Hilliard, M.D. "I'm pleased we are at the point where cancer services will be in one facility. This will benefit patients, their families and caregivers. Cancer is a big enough challenge. Cancer care shouldn't be."

The center will include radiation oncology and medical oncology services, and preliminary plans call for the addition of a broad range of support services including a resource library, satellite pharmacy, offices for nursing educators and nutrition specialists to work one-on-one with patients, small dining area, conference room and a boutique offering specialty products for cancer patients such as scarves, wigs and ostomy supplies.

The cancer center is expected to cost $21 million, and Centra Health plans to turn to the community for financial support for this project.

The Patient Care Tower at Lynchburg General Hospital
Plans for the patient care tower have not been finalized, but preliminary plans call for a five-story structure of about 140,000 square feet to be built across the front of the existing main entrance facing Tate Springs Road. The tower would include dedicated nursing floors for some of Centra Health's cornerstone programs: advanced orthopedics and neurological care, oncology care and surgery care. One floor of shell space also is planned for future needs.

The room designs are highly flexible to accommodate new technological advances and meet the needs of patients and their families. The addition also would create a new front entrance, main lobby and cafeteria area that would be more convenient for patient families and visitors. The project will also include renovation of 65,000 square feet of space at Lynchburg General Hospital, with an emphasis on improved patient care support areas.

As part of the proposed project, Centra Health has a tentative agreement to purchase property on Thomson Drive from the Academy of Fine Arts, formerly the Fine Arts Center. The arts center is renovating the historic Academy of Music building as its new headquarters and will relocate. Centra Health will raze the Thomson Drive building and use the property for parking. It is essential to have the additional parking available prior to the start of the project because the footprint of the new building will eliminate as many as 100 parking spaces and another 100 spaces will be lost for the duration of the project to serve as site staging and supply storage.

In addition, the main entrance at Lynchburg General Hospital will be closed during construction, which is expected to take about two years. During this time the Terrace Level entrance, which is directly across Thomson Drive from the Fine Arts Center, will serve as a main entrance for the hospital.

The cost of the patient care tower is estimated at approximately $64 million.

Virginia Baptist Hospital's Role
Virginia Baptist Hospital will continue to be a major delivery point for healthcare services provided by Centra Health. Among the specialized programs offered at the Rivermont Avenue campus include:

• one of the state's major obstetrics centers with advanced prenatal, neonatal, and high risk maternity services offered in a comfortable facility especially designed for mothers and their families;
• a same-day and short-stay surgery center providing the comfort and convenience of a free-standing center with strong support from a skilled post-surgical nursing unit. Available procedures include ear, nose and throat, gynecologic, breast, urologic, laparoscopic, pediatric, general surgery and others.
• center for newly emerging specialty programs including the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, the Heartburn Treatment Center, the Sleep Lab, the Center for Pain Management, Endoscopy procedure center and the Pediatric Specialty Center;
• center for acute rehabilitation services as well as specialized speech, occupational and physical therapy services. Skilled care services are also available.
• home of the Outpatient Department (OPD) where patients can meet with their physician and receive specialized nursing and medical care;
• inpatient pediatric care serving the region;
• a leader in Virginia in inpatient mental health services for adults and children, plus the services of the Piedmont Psychiatric Center and substance abuse counseling provided by Pathways Treatment Center.