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FirstHealth of the Carolinas' new Cancer Center is a four-story 120,000 square foot, $68 million outpatient treatment facility.
Tour of the new Cancer Center at FirstHealth. The first floor has the registration area, labs, radiation oncology and a bistro.
Tour of the new Cancer Center at FirstHealth. The fourth floor has Palliative Care, Wellness Center, Meditation Room and Security.
Tour of the new Cancer Center at FirstHealth. The second floor has Infusion Therapy, Gynecologic Oncology and the pharmacy. There is also access to the roof top garden.
FirstHealth of the Carolinas' new Cancer Center is a four-story 120,000 square foot, $68 million outpatient treatment facility.
Final preparations are underway for the March 27 opening of FirstHealth Cancer Center. On that day, Moore and 15 surrounding counties will rise to new echelons in medical, practical and holistic care.
“Cancer patients benefit from treatments like music, meditation, having their families close by,” says Dr. Ray Washington, general surgeon and center co-director Dr. Sushma Patel, a radiation oncologist.
Consolidating providers fosters more collaborative work. More space means additional equipment, like two radiation linear accelerators, which deliver high-energy x-rays to the region of the tumor. FirstHealth has one linear accelerator currently, and it will be moved into the new cancer center and join a second new unit.
Tour of the new Cancer Center at FirstHealth. The first floor has the registration area, labs, radiation oncology and a bistro.
“Processes will move more efficiently, with all providers under one roof,” Patel says. Patients need not trek from building to building for services. In addition, the Center’s elevated profile could attract more clinical trials, another benefit for patients, says Laura Kuzma, administrative director for oncology services and clinical trials.
The emerging image: FirstHealth Cancer Center, a four-story 120,000 square foot, $68 million outpatient treatment facility is committed to treating the whole patient, not just the disease. Included are options for families and caregivers, as well as practical additions like a parking garage with entrance into the lobby, an onsite pharmacy and a bistro serving healthy fare, all wheelchair accessible.
In kicking off the public "Building the Dream" $30 million fund-raising campaign last summer, FirstHealth of the Carolinas CEO Mickey Foster said, “We have made a commitment to the communities we serve to deliver high-quality care close to home, and the cancer center represents our next step to keep that promise."
The center will host an open house with guided or self-guided tours from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 18, when the public can view treatment areas and the wellness/fitness room while learning about volunteer ambassadors who escort patients from lobby to appointments and oncology “nurse navigators,” medical professionals who guide patients through diagnosis, lifestyle adjustments and other issues related to managing cancer.
Tour of the new Cancer Center at FirstHealth. The fourth floor has Palliative Care, Wellness Center, Meditation Room and Security.
Beyond its equipment and multi-disciplinary staff, the building is, in a word, stunning — both high-tech contemporary and serene. A two-story glass window wall floods the lobby and second-story balcony with light. Upholstered chairs form conversation groups. Patients may check in at a reception desk or kiosks. Overhead, 492 suspended LED globes capable of changing colors represent grains of Sandhills sand. Walls throughout are dusty shades of blue, gray, cream, sand and green, enhanced by murals and landscape art.
“Healthcare construction is in a league of its own in the construction world,” says Cindy Hetzler, senior project manager, who also worked on Reid Heart Center. “Everything we do will impact patient care, so great detail has to be put in place.”
Construction took 22 months, from ground-breaking to ribbon-cutting.
The second-floor 36-bay infusion area, also flooded with natural light, is divided into private, semi-private and group areas. Doors open onto the Healing Garden, with raised beds. The Chest Center, treating pulmonary cancers, occupies the third floor.
Providers (including a staff pastor and nutritionist) have offices on upper floors. Palliative options are represented.
The fourth floor Wellness Center sets this cancer hub apart. Here, patients, family and caregivers are offered a range of fitness equipment with adjacent rooms for art therapy, music, yoga and meditation. Unlike many cancer centers, where the focus is just on patients, FirstHealth's new center is geared to focus on patients' families and caregivers, as well.
"Our oncology clinicians and staff look forward to serving our cancer patients and their families in one, convenient location as we lead the way in cancer treatment and research,” Foster has said.
Providers and patients helped plan the interior.
Tour of the new Cancer Center at FirstHealth. The second floor has Infusion Therapy, Gynecologic Oncology and the pharmacy. There is also access to the roof top garden.
The Foundation of FirstHealth raised almost $30 million of construction costs locally, with donations ranging from $25 to $1 million. Donations are still being accepted. Previously, the foundation participated in fund-raising for the Cancer CARE Fund, Reid Heart Center, Outpatient Cancer Center and Clara McLean House, a residence for patients who travel at least 30 miles. Cancer patients stay here free of charge.
“Our goals have always been about philanthropy and health care,” says Amy Tamez, director of principal gifts for the foundation.
“Cancer is hard mentally, physically and emotionally,” Washington continues. “Our patients are lucky to have community support that addresses their needs on a high level, including physicians, equipment and research protocols,” now housed in a building that also lifts spirits. The message: “You are not alone.”
Contact Deborah Salomon at debsalomon@nc.rr.com
The new Cancer Center located on Page Road in Pinehurst. The four-story center will consolidate all care for cancer patients in the new buildi…
FirstHealth Cancer Center will hold an open house for the public on Saturday, March 18, from 1-4 p.m., 135 Page Road, Pinehurst. The facility is wheelchair accessible, and parking will be available in the adjoining multi-level garage or a lot behind the center.
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I have lived here since 2006 and find the high incidence of cancer in this particular area (among young and old) strange. I wonder why. We are in desperate need of a facility like this - thank you First Health! Still hoping for a "longer-term" hospice center as well like they have in Florida.
Apparently all four of the comments chastised comments by our negative Ned, Kent Misegades. He seems to have deleted his comments. Hilarious, I guess he took it too far this time.
We're so lucky to have a facility with faculty of this quality in Moore County. It seems the only people who don't think so are the ones who see the glass as half empty and paid for by conspiracy theorists.
Kent, you're pushing it little man.
Kent, when are you going to stop lying? Not much of a Christian, are you? I’m glad we have an upgraded, local, cancer center. By the way, FirstHealth is a non-profit healthcare provider.
I think we are very fortunate to have a state-of-the-art facility here in Moore County. I hope I never get cancer and have to use it, but if I do, it looks like a facility that will support both the patients and the families. Sure beats having to drive to Durham or even further.
(Kent, give it a rest.)
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Comments that violate any of the rules above are subject to removal by staff.
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