Cancer, Corewell Health System
Spectrum Health Expands Lettinga Center to Serve BMT Patients
Open House Scheduled for Tuesday, June 28
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 27, 2016 – Adults in West Michigan have been able to receive blood and bone marrow transplants (BMT) at Spectrum Health for the past three years, sparing them a long commute and extended separations from responsibilities, family and friends. Thanks to the expansion of the Lettinga Inpatient Cancer Center, the Spectrum Health Cancer Center will be able to accommodate even more BMT program patients.
To celebrate, a VIP Open House will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, in the Lettinga Cancer Center that is located on the fifth floor of Butterworth Hospital in downtown Grand Rapids. Public tours of the expanded 18-bed unit will be available from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
A short presentation at 2:30 p.m. will feature Gwen Sandefur, chief operating officer, Spectrum Health Grand Rapids, Judy Smith, MD, chief, Spectrum Health Cancer Center, Stephanie Williams, MD, medical director, adult BMT, donors Wilbur and Sharon Lettinga and cancer survivor Victoria Upton.
The Lettinga’s are longtime donors to the Spectrum Health Foundation. The inpatient unit at Butterworth Hospital was first named in their honor in 1996.
Blood and marrow transplants are a treatment option for patients who have cancer, immune system disorders, metabolic disease and other life-threatening conditions. To date, more than 240 patients have received transplants at Spectrum Health.
“After a patient receives a blood or bone marrow transplant, it is necessary for them to remain isolated for several weeks in a pressure controlled room within a hospital,” explained Dr. Williams. “Through this expansion and the generosity of Wilbur and Sharon Lettinga , we will now be able to provide this level of care to even more patients.”
Spectrum Health’s adult BMT program received internationally-recognized accreditation by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) in 2014. There are four adult BMT programs in Michigan. Spectrum Health, which began offering adult transplant in February 2013, is the only adult BMT program in the western half of the state. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital has been providing blood and marrow transplants to pediatric patients since 1998.
People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.
Contact:
Sarina Gleason
Media Relations
Phone: 517.256.5618
Email: sarina.gleason@corewellhealth.org
In The News
February 29, 2024