JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The official opening of Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center on Friday brings together two organizations committed to delivering the most comprehensive and advanced cancer care, close to home.
In what is called a merger of equals, Baptist Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center are joining forces to replicate MD Anderson's proven model of care in northeast Florida. Based in Houston, Texas, MD Anderson is one of the world's largest and most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education and prevention.
With 114,000 new cancer cases reported each year, Florida is second only to California with the highest new instances in the United States. MD Anderson, Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center will provide adult patients and their families with access to the same leading-edge technologies, treatment protocols and treatment options as the nation's leading cancer center.
"Our mission is to end cancer, and there is no better partner in northeast Florida with which to share expertise, enhance access to select clinical trials and improve patient outcomes than Baptist Health," said Ronald A. DePinho, MD, president, MD Anderson. "Baptist MD Anderson builds on the strengths of both institutions and will allow us to Change Health Care for Good while Making Cancer History."
Baptist Health becomes the third partner within the program, with full clinical and operational integration. MD Anderson's other two partners are Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center with Banner Health in Gilbert, Ariz. and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper with Cooper University Health Care in Camden, N.J.
"The opening of the Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is a major milestone in the history of our community," said Hugh Greene, Baptist Health president and CEO. "The power of our partnership with MD Anderson should provide a beacon of hope for cancer patients and families in Jacksonville and throughout the Southeastern United States."
Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center opened Oct. 1 with approximately 240 employees, including more than 40 dedicated physicians with significant expertise in major oncology specialties, including breast, gynecological oncology, urology, gastrointestinal, thoracic, neurological oncology, colorectal, lung, prostate, melanoma, sarcoma and more. To meet the comprehensive needs of patients and families, the center also has specialists in oncology navigation, nursing, nutrition, pharmacy, genetics, personal counseling, psychological care, pastoral care, and social services.
Patients like Willene Carter, a Flordian who started treatment in Houston and periodically makes the trip for follow-up appointments, feels MD Anderson was the right place for her. The fact that her and her husband won't have to make the 1,600 mile round trip any more has them both excited.
"It's like getting a raise. We are so happy. It's like the best thing that ever happened to Jacksonville," Carter said.
Leading the clinical team as medical director of Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is Joe B. (Bill) Putnam Jr. a cardiothoracic surgeon who most recently served as chairman of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. Prior to that, he was on the faculty of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1988 to 2003.
"This unique program is designed to address the complete continuum of care for the cancer patient and their family," Dr. Putnam said. "Every new patient will have the benefit of not just a single set of physician's or surgeon's eyes, but a multidisciplinary group of experts specific to that patient's cancer."
Designed to serve as a single destination for cancer patients and their families, the newly opened Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center includes medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, pathology, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, infusion and other support clinical services.
The center, which is on the campus of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, is modeled after MD Anderson's outpatient clinics in Houston, with private infusion therapy stations, large patient exam rooms and beautifully designed nursing stations and waiting areas for families. Natural light, soothing colors and artwork provide comfort by merging the "high-tech" world of medicine with the "high-touch" needs of cancer patients.
To accommodate anticipated growth of the center, a new Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center building will be designed and constructed across the street with an anticipated opening in early 2018.
"We are providing a coordinated, dedicated team for patients in one location while building a destination cancer center that will be a symbol to the community that Baptist MD Anderson is committed to ending cancer," said Nicole Thomas, Baptist Health senior vice president for Specialty Services.
To make an appointment for cancer treatment or for more information, a dedicated patient scheduling center at 844-632-2278 or visit BaptistMDAnderson.com.