SwedishAmerican, UW Health to build free-standing cancer center

Staff Report

SwedishAmerican Health System’s board of directors has approved a business plan to build and operate a free-standing outpatient cancer center in collaboration with UW Health and its nationally-recognized University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.

The new SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center will offer services such as medical oncology, chemotherapy and infusion; advanced radiation therapy; and medical imaging at one convenient location. Patients will have access to the latest clinical trials offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, a full complement of holistic and support services will ensure the very best treatment experience.

This announcement follows the establishment of an agreement between the two organizations in 2010, designed to provide highly sophisticated sub-specialty health care to local patients and create more specialized services in Rockford.

“We are very pleased to announce plans for the SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center, which will benefit thousands of patients and families throughout northern Illinois on many levels,” said SwedishAmerican President and CEO Dr. Bill Gorski. “More than just a new building, the center will provide convenient access to both SwedishAmerican and UW Carbone Cancer Center specialists, as well as advanced treatments.”

James Dechene, interim president of University Health Care, said: “A comprehensive cancer center is a special place that brings together all kinds of resources for the care of patients. At the UW Carbone Cancer Center, more than 280 physicians and scientists from many different disciplines work collaboratively to translate research discoveries into new treatments for cancer patients. We look forward to working collaboratively with SwedishAmerican and sharing our cancer expertise with patients from throughout the northern Illinois region.”

The new center will be built on a 30-acre site on North Bell School Road in Rockford, acquired from Landmark Group. In close proximity to I-90 and the Riverside exit, the center will be easily accessible to both local and regional patients. In the Rockford metropolitan area, access will be enhanced through the development of a free transportation service for local patients and their families.

SwedishAmerican is preparing to secure state regulatory approval for the new center, which is projected for completion in the last quarter of 2013. This project will have a positive economic impact on Rockford and the surrounding region. In addition to creating approximately 300 construction jobs, by its fourth year of operation, the center is projected to include the equivalent of 104 full-time jobs, including health care providers and support staff.

SwedishAmerican’s affiliation with UW Health also involves other regional strategies that focus on enhancing the delivery of care, advancing medical research, growing regional telemedicine infrastructures and achieving seamless patient transfers and referrals between the two health systems.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

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