Lake County residents form Cancer Fighters Construction Team
Six Lake County cancer survivors were given the opportunity to influence the design and construction of a new inpatient tower at Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center (Midwestern).
The distinct opportunity, dubbed the Cancer Fighters Construction Team, allowed the Lake County residents to give back and help others fighting cancer in a truly unique way.
The group of former patients, caregivers and friends of CTCA at Midwestern consulted on construction and design topics during an eight-month time span, beginning with conceptual planning all the way through finishing touches just before the grand opening on Nov. 18.
Rose Sajuan, a breast cancer survivor from Waukegan; Chris Johnson, a breast cancer survivor from Winthrop Harbor; Robbie Robinson, a non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor from Fox Lake; Sarah Lopez, a breast cancer survivor from Beach Park; and Dee Stratmoen, a breast cancer survivor from Zion, made up the cancer survivor group that influenced design within the 168,078 square-foot inpatient tower.
The Cancer Fighters Construction Team also welcomed caregivers to the group to gain their perspective. Rick Johnson, Chris Johnson's husband, spent a considerable amount of time at the hospital when his wife was in treatment, and offered input for creating a space that is comfortable for caregivers and families.
From interior colors to wallpaper, furniture and on-site amenities, the Cancer Fighters Construction Team was asked to weigh in every step of the way.
"It's exciting to see our vision come to life," said Sajuan, who received treatment at CTCA at Midwestern in 1996. "When you are in the hospital, little things like how homey the room is can make a big difference. Being part of this project brought me great joy, as it means that I was able to help comfort others who are battling cancer."
Amenities in the inpatient tower include tranquil family lounges on each floor, a secure and spacious outdoor courtyard, a large patient bistro, and a state-of-the-art culinary demonstration kitchen, where patients and caregivers can learn how to prepare healthy meals they can enjoy at home.
Located on the top two floors and opening in June 2016, the inpatient tower will also provide an additional 48 guest quarters, hotel-like accommodations for outpatients, as well as family members and caregivers, so they may be close to loved ones.
The 48 in-hospital living spaces are in addition to the more than 300 guest quarter accommodations that are currently available to patients.
Patients from across the United States and abroad travel to CTCA at Midwestern for innovative medical treatment and integrative care. The hospital's focus on whole-person care sets them apart and has made the North suburban Chicago hospital a travel destination for cancer care.
"We are proud of the hard work and dedication that our Cancer Fighters Construction Team put forth to make our new inpatient tower a modern and serene space," said Scott Jones, president and CEO of CTCA at Midwestern.
"The new inpatient tower is part of a campuswide modernization stemmed from patient feedback and our continued growth."
For more information about the new inpatient tower at CTCA at Midwestern, visit cancercenter.com/landmark.
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