St. Joseph plans new cancer center

Cancer patients rank Provena St. Joseph Hospital among the best in country in patient satisfaction surveys.

But the Elgin hospital isn't resting on its laurels.

St. Joe's officials announced Tuesday that they plan to break ground Oct. 2 on a $6.8 million regional cancer care center.

"From a physician's standpoint, it's a dream come true," said Dr. Courtney Coke, medical director of radiation oncology. "My goal, my purpose, is to provide the best services to the patient. It's a pleasure to deal with an institution that also has those same goals."

The new center is expected to open next September.

It will be roughly 26,000 square feet and sit on the hospital's east side.

"It's certainly unique to Elgin, no question about that," said Alex Bacchetti, Provena's regional vice president of planning and business development in northern Illinois. "When you bring the whole package together, it's probably pretty unique in the entire region."

The new center was funded almost entirely by donations from community members, hospital staff and others.

"Employees alone contributed $257,000," said Bonnie Emberton, executive director of the Provena St. Joseph Hospital Foundation. "That's amazing. The regional cancer care center is another example of Provena St. Joseph Hospital listening and responding to the needs to the community."

St. Joe's officials say one of their major motivations for the project was to consolidate St. Joe's existing cancer care.

Under the present layout, patients sometimes have to walk from one side of the hospital to the other to receive various treatments.

"It was really critical that we condense," project architect Steven Vasilion said. "It expands the treatment area, expands the treatment opportunities."

The new center will also reflect a changing philosophy in cancer care, officials said.

The plans call for a healing garden and outdoor terraces on the second floor where patients can meet and receive treatment.

Patients will also be able to choose between isolated treatment rooms or group areas where they can interact with other cancer survivors.

And St. Joe's officials say they also would like to include art, music and massage therapy, as well as continuing education and counseling for patients who have been cured or finished treatment.

Andrea Duval, director of St. Joe's existing regional cancer care center, said she's thrilled with the plans for the new facility.

"I'm so excited," Duval said. "I don't even have the words. This is just so fabulous. I know that our patients are going to benefit. And that's what we're all about."