BERLIN – With the Town of Berlin last month approving construction of a new comprehensive cancer care center, Atlantic General Hospital executives announced project details this week.
The new 18,000-square-foot facility, which will sit on the corner of Route 113 and Old Ocean City Boulevard, will provide one centrally-located, convenient facility for the care and treatment of individuals with cancer and blood disorders.
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States, and in Maryland and Delaware the incidence of cancer is higher than the national average. Even more concerning, the mortality rate for Worcester County, Md., and Sussex County, Del., residents diagnosed with cancer is nearly 10 percent higher than for the state of Maryland.
“We as healthcare providers need to better address the high cancer mortality rate in our community. Right now, convenient, comprehensive cancer care is not available close to home for many of the residents we serve,” said Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital. “Our current cancer care program provides excellent chemotherapy care and care navigation services, but we need to do more. We’re very excited about placing these critical services on our hospital campus in our community.”
In addition to existing medical oncology and chemotherapy infusion services and integrative therapies, the new center will include radiation oncology; PET, CT, MRI and other advanced diagnostic radiology services on one campus; laboratory and pathology services; community education and support facilities; and telemedicine technology that will allow patients and their physicians to consult with other cancer care experts, preventing unnecessary travel for consultation and follow up care for patients who may require more intensive cancer care services.
For a detailed list of services and features, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org/thenewrccc.
Agreements for exclusive partnerships with premier cancer care providers in Maryland are being finalized. A collaboration with 21st Century Oncology will allow for the latest radiation oncology therapies at the new Regional Cancer Care Center. 21st Century Oncology has been providing cancer treatment in Berlin for over a decade, and the collaboration with Atlantic General Hospital will allow for a more efficient cancer care delivery system in the community at a single location, rather than a duplication of services that already exist.
“Since 1993, Atlantic General has been part of the fabric of our community, dedicated to improving the health of each individual and the population overall,” said Lou Taylor, chairman of the Atlantic General Hospital Board of Trustees. “This new center is the next vital step in protecting the health of those we serve, right here in Worcester County.”
The new Regional Cancer Care Center will be located on a four-acre parcel north of Old Ocean City Boulevard in front of Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center that Atlantic General Hospital acquired in 2014.
Groundbreaking is planned for July 2017 with completion set for early 2018.