Photo Courtesy St. Anthony Regional Cancer Center: St. Anthony Regional Hospital staff, officials and the foundation board of directors take part in a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, April 23 for a new cancer treatment center that will open in 2020. The $16.5 million, 20,720 square feet building will be located on the southeast side of the Carroll campus. Construction is scheduled to begin next month.
Hospital officials, staff and members of the board of directors broke ground today (Tuesday) in the St. Anthony Regional Hospital’s southeast parking lot, the site for a new, $16.5 million cancer center in Carroll. President and CEO, Ed Smith, says the ceremony was a historic moment for the hospital and cancer patients in the region.
Several local cancer survivors spoke during the groundbreaking about the importance of having access to a high-quality cancer center close to home. Thanks to St. Anthony Regional Hospital, Emily St. Peter, a nursing student at Des Moines Area Community College, did not have to worry about travel expenses while undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma last year. She cannot stress enough how much it meant to have family and friends nearby during that difficult time.
Individuals who played an integral role in moving the project forward, including former and current board members, doctors and patients, broke ground using brightly painted shovels to reflect cancer support ribbons. When completed, the 21,000 square foot facility will feature exam rooms and consultation spaces throughout the lower floor of the building with 18 infusion areas located on the second floor. According to Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Randal Hess, the cancer center will contain the most technologically advanced equipment in the state, and he looks forward to bringing in new treatments that will improve patient outcomes. Hess says the new facility will bring cutting-edge practices to west central Iowa.
About 60 percent of the $16.5 million project is financed through low-interest loans from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a capital campaign was announced in February to raise the remaining amount. Smith says they are well on their way to reaching their goal, but they are still seeking donations.
Construction on the St. Anthony Cancer Center is tentatively scheduled to be completed in about 18 months. They hope to begin accepting patients as soon as fall of 2020. Individuals interesting in contributing to the capital campaign are asked to use the contact points included with this story on our website. Video from the groundbreaking can be found included with this story on our website.
Development Director, Trish Roberts
Phone: 712-794-5223
E-mail: troberts@stanthonyhospital.org
