Baptist North Mississippi’s Oxford Cancer Center, one of only two accredited cancer centers in the northern half of Mississippi, celebrated the opening of an expanded infusion center at its location on Azalea Drive in Oxford today.
The larger infusion center increases the capacity for simultaneous infusion treatments by over 50%. Now, at any given time, 20 people can be receiving infusion treatments compared to 13 before. The expansion also includes larger open treatment bays, each of which has five treatment stations, new private treatment rooms, a much expanded pharmacy and larger waiting and common areas. Baptist officials said that the increased capacity will shorten wait times for treatment, with more space in a more efficient footprint.
Sheila Hawkins, charge nurse for the infusion center, is thrilled with the expansion. She commented on the new, light-filled infusion rooms, which were evident as HottyToddy.com toured the facility. “The wonderful light is a beautiful reminder of God’s healing grace,” she said.
Added infusion capacity means that in addition to chemotherapy, other treatments can be performed at the facility, including hydration therapy, and treatment for rheumatology patients, particularly arthritis patients. In the future, patients needing renal injections, antibiotic infusion and other therapies which were previously handled at the main hospital will be handled at the new facility.
“With the growing demand for cancer care, this facility offers patients a convenient setting close to home,” said Bill Henning, CEO and administrator of Baptist North Mississippi. “The beautiful, expanded facility has been designed with a complete focus on delivering the absolute best care and compassion to our patients and their families.”
The expansion to the Cancer Center is one of many investments Baptist has been making in the Oxford area. Construction is underway on a $300 million replacement facility on Belk Blvd. for the main hospital currently on S. Lamar. That facility is scheduled to open in late 2017.
Said Dr. Aleksander Jankov, one of the Cancer Center’s physicians, “This facility is another indication that Baptist plans to be here in Oxford providing care close to home. Patients and families in the Oxford area have come to rely on our facility. They feel this is a place of refuge, safe harbor and a place to get support.”
Allison Buchanan is CEO and writer for Hottytoddy.com. She can be reached at allison.buchanan@hottytoddy.com
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