SMH to Move Forward with Next Phases of Cancer Institute
After construction of the new Oncology & Surgical Tower is complete in November of 2021, the health system will turn its attention to the construction of new outpatient oncology facilities.
The Sarasota County Public Hospital Board recently authorized Sarasota Memorial staff to move forward with preliminary site and design plans for two new outpatient oncology facilities: a new, six-story cancer pavilion on the hospital’s Sarasota campus, and a two-story cancer center on its developing Venice hospital campus.
The new outpatient cancer facilities are the next phase of Sarasota Memorial’s expanding Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute, a comprehensive cancer program SMH began developing in 2018 to provide oncology patients with seamless access to the latest treatments, technologies, support services and clinical trials in their own community.
In 2020, the health system opened a new outpatient Radiation Oncology Center at the University Parkway campus, introducing a new clinical specialty for the hospital. And in November, we will open a new, eight-story inpatient Oncology Tower on the Sarasota campus.
The board’s vote last month paves the way for Sarasota Memorial staff to begin working on preliminary schematics and site plans for the two new outpatient projects:
• The Cancer Pavilion at SMH-Sarasota – With approximately 150,000 square feet of space, the six-story outpatient pavilion will be built across the street from the new Oncology Tower. The pavilion will offer an array of outpatient services, including a new breast health center, outpatient surgery suites, radiation and infusion services, diagnostic services, integrative and supportive care, and administrative and clinic space for physicians, counselors and navigators who provide coordinated care for patients and families.
• Cancer Center at SMH-Venice – With approximately 50,000 square feet of space, the two-story center will offer radiation oncology, advanced diagnostic imaging, infusion services, supportive care and medical office space.
Schematic design will take 6 to 8 months, and construction could begin late next year, pending further approval and funding by the hospital board.
CEO David Verinder said the projects represent far more than bricks and mortar. Cancer diagnoses are rising locally and nationally, and the need for Sarasota Memorial outpatient oncology services is expected to grow significantly.
Last year, the SMH cancer team held 176 multidisciplinary cancer conferences, during which physician specialists collaboratively reviewed more than 1,300 patient cases to ensure each received optimal treatment plans specific to their cancer.
“Cancer care is far more than facilities, treatments and technology,” David said. “It takes tremendous coordination and collaboration across multiple subspecialties and disciplines to accurately diagnose and develop targeted treatments. That’s where a comprehensive cancer center like Sarasota Memorial’s Jellison Cancer Institute can really make a difference.”
The Cancer Institute is hiring for a variety of positions; go to the Careers site for information; click here. Watch the video below for a recent update with Lorrie Liang, president of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Sarasota Campus.