It was a major economic announcement for Mishawaka...
And a new option for patients who need cancer care.
The South Bend Clinic and Goshen Center for Cancer Care announced a new partnership on Thursday.
They are bringing a new cancer center to Michiana, one they say will offer integrated care and treat the "whole" patient.
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Paul Meyer, the Executive Director of The South Bend Clinic says, "This is going to bring a level of cancer care and new clinical model that really, patients have either gone down to Goshen up to this point, or they've gone to the Chicago or the Ann Arbors or the Mayos of the world."
They're calling the new center Cancer Care Partners and say it will feature innovative "integrated care"... a center that will bring all the cancer experts and services under one roof.
During a news conference Thursday, Family Physician Dr. Jesse Hsieh said right now, cancer care in St. Joseph County is fragmented. Different cancer experts and services in different places. Waiting for appointments. Delayed care.
Dr. Jesse Hsieh, President of The South Bend Clinic says, "So, what we're talking about with integration and patient center care is my patient can come here and with one phone call, sit in a room and have all of those specialties at the same time, before anything is done."
A collaborative roadmap for immediate treatment. It's a model they say Goshen's Center for Cancer care has already perfected.
Joseph Gagliardi, Senior VP, Goshen Center for Cancer Care says, "The model evolves and you know how it evolves, by talking to patients, what they need, what they want and so it always involves, but we're gonna bring the Goshen Program here."
The center will include doctors like Dr. Douglas Swartzenbruber who's research on a cancer vaccine has gained international attention.
Dr. Douglas Schwartzentruber of Goshen Center for Cancer Care says, "This is something that's needed because one of the realities is patients like to stay close to home and also the insurance tends to dictate where patients go."
Mishawaka Mayor Jeff Rea calls the announcement "thrilling."
"Another major medical announcement here in our community," Rea says. "Significant capital investment, so construction jobs, at a time when there aren't a lot of construction jobs in the community. Permanent jobs, too. A long-term investment in this community that will mean initially 30 new jobs to our community and I think that's a fantastic announcement."
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The Cancer Care Partners will bring 30 new professional positions like nurses, radiation therapists and doctors.
It's a 14 million dollar investment. They are renovating a building on Day Road in Mishawaka.
The center will be ready for patients in August and will be ready for in-patient services in December.
