New cancer care center planned for northwest Wisconsin

After a thorough and thoughtful review process with input from communities throughout the region, six area hospitals have approved a plan to move forward with the creation of the new Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin to provide specialized cancer treatment services for patients in the western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota region.

Six hospitals — Amery Regional Medical Center, Baldwin Area Medical Center, Hudson Hospital & Clinics, Osceola Medical Center, St. Croix Regional Medical Center and Westfields Hospital, in partnership with others — are committed to improving the health of patients and community by providing high-quality health care which meets the needs of all people now and into the future. By collaborating rather than competing, they feel patients can best benefit by increased regional access and value.

The six hospitals have formed a nonprofit organization to solicit and receive charitable support for cancer care services, and have established a fundraising goal of $1.5 million for the $4.5 million project.

When completed, the new cancer center will aid in creating a cancer care delivery network that brings heightened cancer treatment closer to patients, and enhances the local hospitals’ abilities to provide local cancer care.

The new 12,000 sq. ft. Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin, located in New Richmond, will be staffed by specialists from Minneapolis Radiation Oncology P.A. and the HealthPartners Medical Group’s medical oncology department. The team will also provide support at each of the six hospitals on a routine basis, providing coordinated cancer care prevention, treatment and supportive services.

The facility is expected to open in spring 2011.