Cancer

Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital Announces $8.9 Million Expansion

Hospital to make Significant Investment in Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center

Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital is set to make a significant investment in cancer care in northern Michigan. The hospital has announced that it will break ground this fall on the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center, an $8.9 million comprehensive regional facility.

The new cancer center will be located at the current Spectrum Health Crossroads Radiation Therapy Center at US10 and US131 in Osceola County. 

“Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital must be prepared for the continued increase in the demand for cancer services. Over the past two decades, the number of people diagnosed with cancer has grown by one-third for Osceola, Lake and Mecosta counties alone,” said Sam Daugherty, president, Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital. “In this new center, our patients will have access to multiple services and therapy under one roof.  For example, patients could meet with the medical oncologist and then visit with the dietician, social worker or an integrative therapy expert, all in the same day.”

The current model of cancer care in Reed City enables patients from an 11-county region to receive advanced cancer treatment, without traveling a long distance from home. Nearly 50 percent of West Michigan adults and 97 percent of children diagnosed with cancer in West Michigan seek cancer care through Spectrum Health. The cancer specialists at Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital perform more than 10,000 cancer treatment procedures each year, which are seamlessly connected to the specialists at Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion in Grand Rapids.

Daugherty said that sound financial management over the years enabled the hospital to fund a majority of the $8.9 million project. 

“However, that funding cannot cover all of the costs for the project. Investment through charitable contributions by donors is essential to cover the gap. A capital campaign cabinet has been formed to launch Bringing Hope Closer to Home, the largest fund-raising campaign ever in this community, chaired by local attorney Dave Porteous and Susan  P. Wheatlake who believe strongly in the need for exceptional cancer treatment close to home,” he added. 

The Wheatlake Family – Frank, Susan, Drew and Bret have generously donated the lead gift for the project. Susan P. Wheatlake is the founder of the Susan P. Wheatlake Cancer and Wellness Center in Mecosta County and shares the hospital’s vision. “I truly believe the expansion of the Reed City cancer center is vital for our region. Offering the latest technology in treatment options along with comprehensive support services will help meet the challenges that come from a cancer diagnosis. And, imagine all of this close to home.” said Wheatlake.

Local Reed City attorney Dave Porteous, who has long been a supporter of Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital, realizes the impact the new cancer center will have on the community.

“This community can take tremendous pride in the collaborative ways that it works together to enhance all of our lives. We now have the opportunity to ensure that there will be a great cancer center in our community,” said Porteous. “With generous contributions from the community to this critical capital campaign, we will all share in the saving of lives through comprehensive cancer care.”

Daugherty indicates that a new center is important to the patient experience. “We have significant space constraints and an aging infrastructure. Currently, based on their individualized treatment plan, our cancer patients may face multiple visits to departments located across our campus. With a consolidated center housing all cancer related services, what can be a complicated journey becomes a seamless experience.”

The expansion project involves a redesign and modernization of Crossroads Radiation Therapy Center. The existing footprint will be expanded from 9,000 square feet to 18,000 square feet.  New state-of-the-art technology will replace existing technology. Most importantly, the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center will bring all phases of cancer diagnosis and treatment together, under one roof. The center will feature:

  • Digital Varian Truebeam linear accelerator
  • New CT simulator for treatment planning
  • Dedicated infusion and chemotherapy department
  • Dedicated cancer resource center and library
  • Radiation and hematology oncology physician practices
  • Seamless integration with Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion
  • Specialized team of doctors and clinicians with access to clinical research trials

Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital is a 25-bed acute care hospital located in Reed City, Michigan that has adopted the Planetree approach to care giving. A model of patient-centered care in a healing environment, staff is committed to improving medical care from the patient’s perspective, empowering patients and families through education, information and encouraging healing partnerships with caregivers.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of nine hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a state of the art children’s hospital that opened in January 2011, and 190 service sites; the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart, physician groups totaling more than 600 providers; and Priority Health, a health plan with 600,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with more than 18,000 employees. The organization provided $176.5 million in community benefit during its 2011 fiscal year.