Mon General announces plans for a Radiation Oncology Center

This photo shows a mock-up of Mon General Hospital's planned Radiation Oncology Center. The new center is the brick structure in the right-center of the photo. Click here to watch the press conference.

                Mon General Hospital has taken the first steps toward adding a radiation oncology center to its Zelda Stein Weiss Cancer Center. A Certificate of Need (CON) application for the new center has been submitted to the West Virginia Health Care Authority. Pending approval of the CON, construction could start by early September.

                The proposed radiation oncology center will include nearly 2,200 square feet of new space for a linear accelerator vault and 4,000 square feet of renovated space for clinic and staff work spaces. The center will be located near the east canopy entrance to the hospital and centralize outpatient oncology services.

                “I am pleased to announce that through the generosity of our many donors, The Foundation of Mon General Hospital has raised through cash and pledges the $7 million needed to establish a leading-edge radiation oncology center at the Zelda Stein Weiss Cancer Center at Mon General,” said Brian Hawthorne, MD, Mon General Vice President of Medical Affairs and Medical Director. The project was announced during a press conference in the hospital’s main lobby on Wednesday, May 22, as many hospital employees looked on.

                “The Foundation contribution means that the hospital will not incur any new debt and will not have to raise prices to cover the cost of the new state-of-the-art center,” Hawthorne said. “More importantly, it means that patients that depend on their physicians and surgeons for their cancer treatment at Mon General will now have access to comprehensive cancer care in a single location.”

                “This is a special and emotional day for me,” said Paul Kapnicky, Vice Chair of The Foundation of Mon General Hospital Board of Directors. “Fifteen years ago, I lost my wife, Iris, to cancer and since that day I have dedicated a good portion of my life to improving cancer care services in this community and at Mon General.

                “As someone who has experienced cancer treatment from the family side, I know how important the addition of this facility will be for cancer patients, their family and the community,” Kapnicky said. “I am proud to report that The Foundation has raised all of the money needed to pay for the equipment and facility upgrades to build the radiation oncology center.”

                Comprehensive cancer care consists of three main therapies: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Patients might need some or all of those services. “The addition of radiation services here at Mon General means that our patients can now get all of their cancer related services in one location,” said Mon General Surgeon C. Andrew Heiskell, MD . “And, since many of our patients come from outside of Morgantown, it’s a big deal.

                “We will now be able to better coordinate care – whatever that care may end up being – for patients who are going through a very stressful time of their lives,” he said.  “Our team of surgeons, medical oncologists and now a radiation oncologist, will be able to work together to develop and implement a full and comprehensive treatment plan for all our patients.”

                Cindy Jeffers, an oncology patient at Mon General, noted that every Monday she drives up to Mon General from Bridgeport after receiving radiation treatment at another hospital. “Each time, I have to drive to two different locations to receive my care,” she said. With the addition of a radiation oncology center, this would no longer be necessary.

                “Cancer treatment is a multi-specialty approach,” said John Azar, MD, Medical Director of the Zelda Stein Weiss Cancer Center. “If I’m a cancer patient, I would want my doctors to be under the same roof, talking to each other, collaborating with each other.  Fragmented care doesn’t make sense and this addition will improve the care we offer our patients and their families.”

                Mon General is also applying for Comprehensive Cancer Center status through the American College of Surgeons. “We need radiation therapy for this designation,” Dr. Azar said. “We are also bringing clinical trials to the hospital. Many clinical trials will require radiation therapy on site.

                “The fact that the Foundation was able to raise this money means that the patients and the public won’t have to pay higher costs,” he said. “The fact that the Foundation was able to raise the money that quickly reflects the commitment and desire of this community to want this radiation center.”

                The application for the new radiation oncology center was submitted to the West Virginia Health Care Authority on May 22 under the comprehensive cancer center criteria. “We look forward to a favorable decision, given that the entire project is paid for and is targeted at improving cancer care for the patients who prefer to have their care at Mon General,” Dr. Hawthorne said.

                By locating the new center near the East canopy entrance to the hospital, outpatient oncology care services would be in a single easily accessible location. Medical Oncology, GYN/Surgical Oncology, Infusion Therapy and Radiation Therapy would all be located on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors of the east end of the hospital’s north tower.  These services would have their own covered entry and front door reserved parking.