Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital Celebrates New Wheatlake Cancer Center

Public Open House and Tours September 19

Northern Michigan residents now have greater access to cancer care closer to home with the opening of a comprehensive regional cancer center.

On September 19, the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center at Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital will officially open its doors to patients. The former Crossroads Radiation Therapy Center, 4499 220th Avenue, Reed City, is now an18,000 square-foot facility that brings together the full range of services in the cancer journey.

A ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration is scheduled for Thursday, September 19, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wheatlake Cancer Center employees and physicians will be on hand for self-guided tours of the facility and light refreshments will be served. Parking is limited and carpooling is recommended. Offsite parking is available and shuttle bus transportation will take guests to/from their vehicles.

With cancer rates more than doubling in the last six years, pressing community needs were at the heart of the decision by Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital to undertake the most ambitious expansion project in recent memory. Approximately 10,000 cancer treatments are performed each year in Reed City.

Guided by oncology patient and family advisory councils, Wheatlake Cancer Center staff and physicians, the advanced care facility was designed to be consistent with health care design principles of patient-centered care. Donor Susan P. Wheatlake, a cancer patient herself, calls this new center a dream come true.

“My dream was to provide top-notch regional cancer care for our surrounding communities,” said Wheatlake. “I could see the need for comprehensive cancer care in one location to make it the most supportive and convenient for patients and their caregivers.” The Wheatlake family—Frank, Susan, Drew and Bret—generously donated the lead gift for the project. The “Bringing Hope Closer to Home” capital campaign was established to fund the remainder of the project cost. Currently, the campaign is at $1.87 million of the $2.4 million goal.

Hospital leaders broke ground on the expansion in August 2012. Significant technological advancements were made with the purchase of a Varian TrueBeam™ Linear Accelerator and Optima CT580 CT Simulator for the facility. Simple radiation treatments that once took 10 to 30 minutes are now completed in half the time. The linear accelerator expands current capabilities in radiation therapy advancing all of Reed City Hospital’s cancer treatments, especially head and neck cancers. It is the most advanced linear accelerator in the region.

The latest technology is just one component of quality cancer care. Having qualified and skilled professionals to prescribe therapies and plan treatments is critical for best outcomes. Medical and radiation oncologists have offices within the Wheatlake Cancer Center and work with a team of highly trained professionals to see all types of patients referred to Spectrum Health Reed City Hospital. These on-site oncologists have access to integrated services in Reed City and Spectrum Health Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion in Grand Rapids.

Infusion therapy, including chemotherapy, is available at the Wheatlake Center. Members of patient and family advisory councils, former and current patients, cancer center physicians and staff and Susan Wheatlake herself provided valuable input in the design and patient centered focus of the facility. The inviting and comfortable setting allows patients to have loved ones at their side and the open area encourages patients to talk to one another, creating a support group atmosphere where information, encouragement and stories can be shared.

Another feature of the new facility is the Wellness Center that features a library, boutique, meeting space, gift shop and other services to educate and support patients on their road to recovery. For patients who prefer a holistic approach to treatment, the Wellness Center offers scientifically proven integrative therapy choices; many are designed to minimize side effects with strategies for pain control and relaxation. Licensed cosmetologists help cancer patients take part in the Look Good, Feel Better Program and help with makeup, skin care and appearance—all in a private and supportive environment. Trained staff at the center also assist with mastectomy bras and breast forms fittings and professional fitting and styling of wigs, as well as caps, hats, scarves and turbans.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 10 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 170 ambulatory and service sites; 960 advanced practice providers and employed physicians including members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group and West Michigan Heart physician groups; and Priority Health, a health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 20,000 employees. The organization provided $250 million in community benefit during its 2013 fiscal year.