Expanded St. Francis Cancer Center offers enhanced comprehensive services

Dedication slated for Feb. 8; public invited to preview facility Feb. 11

INDIANAPOLIS – Franciscan St. Francis Health-Indianapolis is on the cusp of completing its expansion of its south side Cancer Center, and the public will get a chance to get a sneak peek of the facility.

Plans are well under way for the formal unveiling of the St. Francis Cancer Center, which expands the facility from 20,000 to 90,000 square feet.

A formal ceremony is set for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8 in the main lobby of the facility. The event will be highlighted with Father John Mannion, director of Spiritual Care Services, and Sister Marlene Shapley, vice president of mission services, leading the dedication. Other participants include hospital leadership, Cancer Center physicians and local civic leaders.

Also on tap at 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 11, current cancer patients and their families, and cancer survivors will tour the building in a private event. From noon to 3 p.m. that same day, Franciscan St. Francis Health employees and the public are invited to see what the new facility has to offer.

“These events signal yet another milestone in our ongoing consolidation of services and ongoing expansion on our Indianapolis campus,” said Robert J. Brody, Franciscan St. Francis president and chief executive officer. “The expanded Cancer Center brings together our oncology services in a multi-disciplinary environment to provide faster and more effective care for the patients we serve.”

Among the services and features at the facility:

• Outpatient bone marrow transplant clinic and supporting stem cell and histocompatibility laboratories
• 25-bay infusion center
• Medical offices for breast and gynecological oncology surgeons
• Increased medical office space for medical oncology/hematology
• Re-designed and expanded radiation oncology department
• Installation of advanced PET/CT imaging technology
• On-site location for the cancer research department
• Reflection/spiritual care room
• Patient resource center
• Oasis retail center for patients needing wigs and prostheses
• Conference center for accommodating support groups and educational sessions

A centerpiece of the facility is the two-story glass lobby and adjacent outdoor courtyard located in the center of the building, providing natural light and pleasant surroundings accessible to patients, families, visitors and staff.

“The courtyard will be a place for hope, comfort and calm,” said Shapley. “Its design symbolizes all that we hold dear in our mission to care for those with cancer and all life-threatening diseases.”

To learn more about Cancer Services at Franciscan St. Francis Health, go to http://www.stfrancishospitals.org/cancer.