Construction of a new radiation oncology center on the campus of Piedmont Newnan Hospital began Thursday, Feb. 19, with a ceremonial groundbreaking.
The new facility is scheduled for completion in July.
The 9,000 square foot facility located in the Piedmont Medical Plaza next to the hospital will be the new home to Piedmont Radiation Oncology, which is currently located on Millard Farmer Industrial Boulevard in Newnan.
“We know our cancer patients will benefit from having their medical oncologist, surgeons, radiation oncologist, social workers, nurse navigators and other team members working in close proximity at Piedmont Newnan Hospital,” said Dr. Diana Santiago, medical director of the Piedmont Newnan Radiation Oncology Center. “Our goal is to provide a place that our cancer patients consider to be one of light, confidence and hope.”
The building will include a 1,000 square foot vault that will house a linear accelerator (LINAC), a machine that generates energy for external beam radiation treatments for cancer patients. Approximately 540 yards of concrete weighing more than two million pounds will be used in the construction of the vault.
Nearly two-thirds of patients diagnosed with cancer are candidates for radiation therapy, which is the careful use of high-energy radiation to target tumors or diseased areas of the body. In addition to treating cancer, radiation therapy may also be used to shrink tumors growing against bones, nerves or organs, reducing pain; before surgery to reduce a tumor to make it more operable; or post-surgery to stop the growth of remaining cancer cells.
“This is a huge step forward in the services we provide for cancer patients in our community and across the state. It’s wonderful to see our vision for facilitating the care of cancer patients from start to finish right here on our campus being realized,” said Piedmont Newnan CEO Mike Robertson. “In addition to having a state-of-the-art facility for their daily treatments, our radiation therapy patients will now have easy access to all of the free programs offered at the Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness Center here at Piedmont Newnan Hospital.”
“We are raising the current treatment of cancer to a new level of comfort and convenience, while providing the effective care in the most productive surroundings,” Dr. Santiago said.
For more information about cancer services at Piedmont, visit piedmont.org/cancer.
