LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A new cancer center will open April 20 in West Texas, offering expanded treatment options for patients who have often faced long drives for care.
The TLC2 UMC Foundation Cancer Center stands next to the current center and is triple the size. The facility is named in honor of its donors.
Mark Funderburk, president and CEO of UMC Health System, said the center’s mission was established before construction began.
“The staff of the cancer center years ago said this, our goal before the first piece of dirt was even turned, our goal was to eliminate suffering from cancer,” Funderburk said.
Bringing care closer to home
The 120,000-square-foot facility is a partnership between UMC and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Lori Rice-Spearman, president of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, said the center addresses a longstanding challenge for patients in the region.
“Oftentimes, we are late to diagnosis, we don’t have great prevention and early intervention, and this cancer center will provide the opportunity to get out into our communities and focus on that,” Rice-Spearman said. “In addition, we are bringing care right here to them at home. They don’t have to make the journey to receive state of the art care.”
Comprehensive services under one roof
The facility includes expanded clinic space, exam rooms and more than 50 infusion chairs. Dr. Brian Payne, chief medical officer at UMC Children’s Hospital, said the center is designed to provide all treatment services in one location, including for children.
“What makes this facility different is that they have everything together for kids in one location, so the kids here, they don’t need to go to any other locations; they can come here to get their infusions as well as see their physicians. It’s a clinic where everything is built just for children,” Payne said.
Research component
Funderburk said the facility will also conduct cancer research.
“In this location we have brand new medical staff who are going to offer a comprehensive view of cancer treatment, at the same time we are going to have research in the building, and I want patients to be able to see the researchers in the building because they can look at that and think perhaps there might be a cure even emerging from here in West Texas,” Funderburk said.
Commitment to serving the community
Rice-Spearman said the center is staffed by providers committed to the region.
“This is West Texans taking care of West Texans, many of the individuals you see that have trained here are now working here, because they know our mission is around access to care and making sure we are providing the highest quality of care we can,” Rice-Spearman said. “And so we encourage you, come here, come here for your hope and let us take care of you and your families.”
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