You’ve heard the saying that good things are worth waiting for. When it comes to the renovation and expansion of the LMH Health Cancer Center, you won’t have to wait much longer. After nearly a year of construction, LMH Health will open the Cancer Center’s doors to welcome members of the public for an open house and tours on June 21.

The renovation and expansion answered the increasing need for cancer care in the community. LMH Health oncologists and hematologists support more than 19,000 patient encounters each year, yet their current space was built to serve 2,400 patients in 2001.

“We want to provide a pleasant, low-stress environment that’s conducive to healing throughout the entire cancer journey,” said hematologist Dr. Jodi Palmer. “Our facility was great, but the needs of our patients simply outgrew our space.”

Improvements to the clinic include:

• More treatment and exam rooms

• Larger waiting room with a respite area for families

• Two laboratory areas

• Patient education and consultation rooms

• Natural lighting for patient and family comfort

• New areas to support physician and staff working with clinical trials

• Modern pharmacy space to support complex infusion medications

During renovations, the Cancer Center and all oncology services relocated to the third floor of the hospital from June through October 2024. The respiratory illness season in November meant the rooms on third floor north were needed for flu and COVID patients. Luckily, that coincided with the completion of renovations on the second floor of the Anderson Health Plaza. It’s been confusing for patients and providers alike.

“We’ve moved twice during construction, which wasn’t ideal, but it’s what worked best to care for hospital and cancer center patients,” Palmer said. “We’re ready to move into our new, permanent home.”

Donor support plays vital role

While renovations on the Cancer Center began in 2024, planning started much earlier. The LMH Health Foundation began a major fundraising initiative in early 2021, and to date more than $7.2 million has been contributed by generous donors.

“As a not-for-profit, safety-net community hospital that treats all who come in need — regardless of ability to pay — philanthropic support has been vital in turning vision into reality,” said Rebecca Smith, LMH Health Foundation executive director and LMH Health vice president of strategy and communications. “This expansion ensures our facilities reflect the extraordinarily high level of care provided here. LMH Health is not taxpayer funded and provides more than $40 million in charitable care each year. We’re grateful for the community’s support of this initiative and what it means for patients with cancer across the region.”

World class care, close to home

The Cancer Center is home to National Cancer Institute (NCI) trained physicians who have extensive experience in treating a wide range of cancer types, including solid tumors, hematological cancers and benign blood disorders. 

“The LMH Health Cancer Center led by our physicians provides world class care, close to home,” said Russ Johnson, LMH Health president and CEO. “Many patients can complete all of their care at LMH Health, with access to leading-edge clinical trials, genetic testing, comprehensive support programs, lifelong survivorship resources, and nurse navigators to walk with them through the process.” 

The hospital is a member of the Masonic Cancer Alliance, which provides patients with access to clinical trials and the latest advancements. The Cancer Center currently offers 27 clinical trials for cancer patients.

“Too often, cancer patients have to travel long distances to participate in clinical trials,” said oncologist Dr. Sherri Soule. “Our partnership with the MCA brings access to those trials closer to home. Patients also benefit from our strategic clinical relationship with The University of Kansas Health System, a collaboration that provides patients with additional access to specialized care and more easily gain access to subspecialty services before returning to complete their course of treatment close to home.”

The LMH Health Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC), a recognition only awarded to institutions meeting rigorous standards for comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer treatment. While only 24% of U.S. hospitals have this level of accreditation, they provide more than 70% of cancer care. LMH is one of just ten accredited hospitals in Kansas. 

“We have recently and successfully completed another accreditation cycle, ensuring that LMH Health continues to comply with dozens of rigorous requirements established by the Commission on Cancer,” said Dr. Chad Tate, surgeon at LMH Health and chairman of the cancer accreditation committee. “These standards demand detailed record keeping that fuels ongoing cancer research and makes certain our care rivals all other prestigious medical centers. Several standards demand constant quality improvement and eliminating barriers to appropriate cancer treatment. CoC accreditation and the new LMH Health Cancer Center significantly expand the mission to provide modern, evidenced-based cancer care to our community while staying close to home.”

— Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World health section.