Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a unique collaboration between Banner Health and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, opens today, ushering in a new era of unprecedented cancer care in Arizona. Banner MD Anderson joins Arizona's leading health care provider with the nation's leading cancer center to provide patients and their families the highest quality care possible.
Located at US 60 and Higley Road, the 130,000-square-foot, $109 million state-of-the-art facility is housed on the Banner Gateway Medical Center campus in Gilbert, Ariz.
Top areas of patient care include medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgery, pathology, laboratory, diagnostic imaging and other supportive clinical services. MD Anderson has clinical oversight of all aspects of care delivery.
"The opening of Banner MD Anderson is a wonderful milestone and a great day for all people in Arizona who are touched by cancer," said Banner Health President and CEO Peter S. Fine. "We're bringing patients and families the latest in knowledge-based cancer care, guided by the top cancer center in the country, MD Anderson. This center certainly extends our mission of making a difference in people's lives through excellent patient care."
For more than 70 years, MD Anderson has been devoted to eradicating cancer through patient care, research, education and prevention at its Houston campus. The renowned center treats more cancer patients, offers access to more therapeutic clinical research exploring novel treatments and has more National Cancer Institute-funded studies than any other cancer-fighting organization in the U.S.
"We're proud to unite efforts with Banner Health and offer cancer patients in Arizona the best possible cancer treatment," said Ronald DePinho, M.D., president, MD Anderson. "We've made great strides in our understanding and ability to effectively treat cancer; however, with our aging population we must be prepared to help many more people fight this disease. Banner MD Anderson is an important collaboration in a fast-growing area where we can truly make a difference with leading-edge therapies and prevention."
Leading the medical team at Banner MD Anderson, as well as treating patients, is Edgardo Rivera, M.D., medical director, who specializes in breast cancer. Dr. Rivera comes to Banner MD Anderson with many years of oncology experience, including 12 years at MD Anderson in clinical and leadership roles.
Banner MD Anderson physicians all have significant experience in cancer care and research, with training, education and experience from some of the most esteemed cancer centers in the country. Their combined expertise will provide Arizona cancer patients with a team of expertise dedicated to fighting cancer.
Banner MD Anderson is modeled after MD Anderson's Houston outpatient clinics. There are 40 infusion therapy stations including the option of treatments on outside balconies surrounded by beautiful Arizona weather and mountain views. Each patient at Banner MD Anderson will have a team of experts who work together to tailor treatment plans based on the patient's unique needs and who guide the patient through the treatment process.
The design of the center merges the "high-tech" world of medicine with the "high touch" needs of cancer patients to provide care in a holistic way. The center's unique environment also incorporates proven evidence-based design theories to enhance healing such as natural light, artwork, water features and views of nature. Patient and family amenities at Banner MD Anderson include an expansive lobby, outdoor balconies, large patient rooms and treatment areas as well as unique boutique retail services.
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