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2008
Summa Health System Opens the Jean B. and Milton N. Cooper Cancer Center New outpatient facility provides patients comprehensive cancer care in one location 1 October, 2008
Akron, Ohio – Summa Health System is pleased to announce the opening of the new Jean B. and Milton N. Cooper Cancer Center on the Akron City Hospital campus. The 77,000 square foot facility provides comprehensive and convenient care to patients by bringing all outpatient cancer services together under one roof.
The $28 million cancer center houses physician and support staff offices, a conference center and several cancer-related services including infusion therapy, radiation therapy, diagnostic imaging, clinical research, rehabilitation services and educational and support services. Dedicated specialists also are located in the new center, including a physical therapist, financial counselor, social worker, psychological counselor and patient care coordinators.
"Summa has long been known for delivering high quality cancer care and the new cancer center will allow us to enhance our services even more by providing one convenient location for our patients," said Dr. R. Douglas Trochelman, Summa’s medical director of oncology. "Receiving all outpatient treatment in one building – from doctor visits to financial counseling and infusion therapy – will help patients’ ease of navigation through the treatment and recovery process."
The ground floor of the cancer center includes a spacious lobby adjacent to a reception and information center and cancer resource library. The radiation oncology department offers patients comfort and privacy with several lockers and changing rooms and separate male/female waiting areas with a garden view. Radiation oncology services include stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic radiotherapy and Image Guided Radiation Therapy.
The first floor is home to the infusion center, which is designed for maximum comfort to meet the needs of patients who are receiving infusion therapy who may be there for an hour or up to as many as eight hours. It includes seven private rooms and 23 personal treatment areas that face a large window overlooking the hospital campus with modular dividers for as much or as little privacy as the patient desires and extra room for family and visitors.
"Another important aspect of the new center is bringing the different areas of cancer care together to provide patients with all the care they need in a single setting," said Dr. William Demas, Summa’s chief of radiation oncology. "We believe the best way to approach multi-disciplinary patient care is collaboratively and the new center will enhance our ability to achieve this goal more efficiently."
As with the radiation and infusion therapy areas, much of the cancer center was designed with input from Summa’s patients. While the cancer center was under construction, staff members in oncology units talked one-on-one with patients to learn about their experiences and ideas. For example, a private back entrance for ambulances is available so patients do not have to come through the lobby to access radiation or infusion therapy. Nearby parking also is available so patients and guests can come and go as they please.
Additionally, for patients and their families, wireless Internet is available throughout the building. A health-conscience café, Freshens® Energy Zone, will open soon in the lobby and serve menu items including fruit smoothies, soft-serve yogurt, high-performance snacks and protein bars, salads and sandwiches.
The design team, led by Hasenstab Architects in Akron, adopted a patient-focused approach to create a contemporary building to enhance not only the patient experience but also the family experience. The warm, texture-rich environment includes abundant natural lighting, panoramic views, outdoor landscaping, patient privacy options and multiple family zones.
The interior design of furniture, art and accessories was completed by Renee Lanza of LANZA Design in Copley. The overall design theme is one of warmth and comfort with greens, browns and oranges used throughout the spaces. Green is a restful color, orange creates an energetic and lively appeal for positive energy and brown and the woods used evoke comfort and security.
The Jean B. and Milton N. Cooper Cancer Center is located at 161 N. Forge St. on the Akron City Hospital campus on the corner of Forge and Arch streets.
About Summa Health System
Summa Health System is one of the largest organized delivery systems in Ohio. Encompassing a network of hospitals, community health centers, a health plan, a physician-hospital organization, research and a foundation, Summa is nationally renowned for excellence in patient care and for exceptional approaches to healthcare delivery. Summa's clinical services are consistently recognized by U.S. News and World Report, Thomson Healthcare (formerly Solucient) and The Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit www.summahealth.org.
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