Wilmot Cancer Center to Celebrate Completion of Expansion Project
An exciting expansion project that further elevates the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center’s status as the leading provider of cancer care and research in the region and raises the bar even higher on the quality of patient care comes to its conclusion tomorrow as donors, faculty members and staff celebrate the completion of the four story vertical expansion. An open house for University of Rochester Medical Center employees and cancer center patients and families will be held from 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and a special unveiling event will be held for donors and community physicians from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The $60.1 million expansion project, which began in late 2010, adds more than 100,000 square feet to the state-of-the-art cancer center, built in 2008. It allows for the relocation of two inpatient units from Strong Memorial Hospital to the Wilmot Cancer Center – the Samuel E. Durand Blood and Marrow Transplant unit (the second largest program of its kind in New York State), and the adult Hematology/Oncology unit, which will expand from 23 to 30 beds. With the addition of the inpatient units, the Wilmot Cancer Center in essence becomes a comprehensive cancer hospital, offering a seamless, full continuum of inpatient and outpatient cancer care.
“This is a very exciting time for the Wilmot Cancer Center and the patients we serve,” said Jonathan Friedberg, M.D ., acting director of the cancer center. “By combining our inpatient and outpatient services, we are moving to a model employed by some of the very best cancer centers in the nation and creating efficiencies and conveniences that will lead to an even higher standard of care for our patients. The environment we’ve created through an abundance of natural light, sizeable rooms and the many amenities we’ve built in after listening to input from patients on the existing units for the past several years will no doubt have a very positive impact on their care.”
The new inpatient floors feature breathtaking views of the greater Rochester region and vastly upgraded patient and family amenities, in keeping with the University of Rochester Medical Center’s commitment to a model of Patient and Family Centered Care . The units feature all private rooms, nearly double the size of those on the existing units at Strong. Other upgrades include:
- Amenities designed to improve comfort and convenience for patients and their families, including sleeper sofas and in-room safes for storage of valuables
- Family waiting areas with conference rooms for private discussions and a pantry offering snacks and beverages
- Exercise/Solarium rooms with panoramic views
- Laundry facilities
- Video gaming
- An Urgent Care/Triage area for patients with acute needs, avoiding visits to the E.D.
Patients will be transferred to the new units beginning Monday, July 23. Crews are also finalizing construction of an area for Imaging equipment within the new space, providing additional convenience and efficiency for patients and staff. That work is scheduled to be completed later this year.