Henry Ford Health System today announced plans to build a $110 million cancer center as part of a $500 million expansion and neighborhood improvement initiative on 300 acres in Detroit, marking another key development in the city’s revitalization and growth.
The planned five-story, 144,000 square-foot cancer center will include a rooftop garden and skywalk to connect it to Henry Ford Hospital. Opening is expected in summer 2018.
Dr. John Popovich Jr., Henry Ford Hospital president and CEO says with ambulatory cancer treatment and support services under one roof, the new facility will make cancer care more comfortable and convenient for patients, families and seniors with a design that focuses on their emotional and physical needs.
“We’re creating a world-class cancer facility supporting the expertise of the Henry Ford Medical Group in the care of cancer patients,” Popovich says.
He says the center will offer:
- Express cancer services via a cancer-specific urgent care, and extended weekday and weekend hours of care
- Cancer-type specific physicians and other specialists working together on the same floor, including radiation oncology, medical oncology and surgical services
- Expanded patient concierge services, nurse navigators, financial navigators and palliative care
- On-site exercise, fitness and nutrition planning, with exercise bikes in chemotherapy infusion areas, as well as yoga/eastern medicine programs, nutrition coaches and cooking classes
- Dedicated personal spaces for lounging and computer access
- Retail cancer services, including expanded aesthetics and personal care items, and food services directed to the tastes of cancer patients and meeting their home food needs.
Additionally, the center will incorporate technology as well as clinical and translational research that patients seek in a destination center, including:
- Greater integration of translational research programs into the clinical setting
- Support for components of clinical research necessary as research moves into the next era of personal and precision medicine
- Dedicated space where patients can speak with research nurses about clinical trial opportunities
“The facility will be modern in its technology and, most importantly, address the physical and emotional needs of our cancer patients by offering greater flexibility with their care, and expanded support services for the duration of their disease,” Popovich says.
By consolidating cancer care services currently located across multiple sites on the Henry Ford Hospital campus in Detroit, Popovich says the new center will provide care in a more seamless, coordinated and healing environment.
The new cancer center will anchor Henry Ford Hospital’s South Campus expansion project, located on 300 acres south of W. Grand Blvd. and north of I-94. Within that neighborhood, Henry Ford will invest in roughly 30 acres, and continue to work to attract businesses to the area. This summer, the $30 million Cardinal Health Distribution Center opened on the site with 100 employees.
“We’re very excited about Henry Ford’s commitment to this new project in Detroit,” says Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “It’s not only paved the way for new development in the city, but eliminated blight by demolishing 100 vacant structures throughout the 300 acre neighborhood.”
The cancer center will serve as the anchor for Henry Ford’s cancer network of facilities. This approach ensures that patients have access to cancer treatments close to home, while providing the most advanced care available in the world in an integrated network.
Site planning for the new cancer facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year; groundbreaking is anticipated for spring 2016. The facility will be funded by internal and philanthropic support.
