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http://www.southbendtribune.com/business/s...,0,963403.story

By STAN MADDUX South Bend Tribune Correspondent

6:15 a.m. EDT, October 4, 2012

MICHIGAN CITY -- A ribbon cutting was held Tuesday for Woodland Cancer Care Center, a 20,000-square-foot facility undertaken by Franciscan St. Anthony Health at 400 North near 900 West, Michigan City.

James T. Callaghan III, president of Franciscan St. Anthony Health, said the facility brings together under one roof all of the cancer treatments currently provided at several different locations in Michigan City with the most advanced technologies available.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health was already an award-winning institution for cancer treatment prior to the opening of the new center.

"It's a real enhancement and upgrade of the skill of our personnel and the technology of the center," said Callaghan.

A nurse navigator also will be at the disposal of patients to help guide them through what can be a complicated process governing their care.

Visits with a social worker and member of the clergy also will be made available at the center.

The location is also just north of Interstate 94 and east of U.S. 421.

"This is a much more convenient situation," said Callaghan.

Callaghan said the cancer center cost more than $20 million.

"There's a lot to this place. It was a great investment in the community," said Callaghan.

Dr. Sea Chen, a radiation oncologist at the medical center, said specific procedures offered include stereotactic radiosurgery, which pinpoints exactly where to apply high-dose radiation to maximize destruction or control of the spread of tumors with fewer side effects.

The end result is higher cure rates, said Chen.

In general, he said, stereotactic radiosurgery has witnessed great success in the treatment of stage one lung cancer especially for patients who cannot undergo traditional surgery.

"Using this radiation method allows us to focus on small tumors and spare a large part of the normal lung," said Chen.

Dr. Vidya Kora, who has operated a family practice in Michigan City for more than 20 years, said patients referred to the center will receive "world class cancer care" close to home in a more coordinated manner from having various specialists at one location.

"I think the patients in our community will benefit immensely from this," said Kora.

Recently, Franciscan St. Anthony Health was recognized by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer with an achievement award, an honor given to the nation's best community-based cancer centers.

It was just one of three hospitals in Indiana to receive the award.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospi...cer-center.html

Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City (Ind.), part of Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Alliance, announced the opening of its $12 million Woodland Cancer Care Center.

The 20,000-square-foot facility includes a linear accelerator, a PET/CT scan and a diagnostic CT, 13 infusion bays, a laboratory, a pharmacy, a patient and family education center and a community room.

The center also offers access to clinical trials.