Center quickly rises as international destination for innovative cancer treatment, research
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.– The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare celebrated its first decade of providing innovative cancer treatment, research and support by hosting two popular community events, an open house and a “special edition” Scottsdale Mayor-Council Breakfast.
Made possible through the generous philanthropy of many community donors and the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, the $25 million center heralded a new era in the approach to cancer treatment: designed by cancer survivors for cancer survivors, with virtually all needed services in a single location on the campus of Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center.
“Planning for the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center involved casting a very broad net. We listened, we learned, especially from those touched by cancer. The feedback we heard inspired everyone involved to take personalized care to a higher level than ever before,” explains Tom Sadvary, president & CEO of Scottsdale Healthcare.
Services and programs were created that give back to those with cancer a sense of control and an outlet for their energy and emotion, in an environment that brings nature’s healing touch indoors. The center includes a four-story, 69,000-square-foot clinical building and a three-story, 35,000-square-foot research pavilion.
“The amazing passion and enthusiasm that helped create our center continues to this day. New discoveries allow treatments to target specific genes, giving hope that one day soon we will indeed bridge the gap between care and cure,” said Sadvary.
Opened in December 2001 as the first comprehensive cancer center in greater Phoenix, the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare offers comprehensive cancer care and research through Phase I clinical trials, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and support services in collaboration with leading researchers and community oncologists.
“Our expert physicians, staff members and volunteers truly know what it takes to “care” for people. We collaborate with our community’s leading physicians and many of the world’s top scientists, so patients no longer need to travel outside the Valley for specialized cancer treatment. In fact, patients from across the U.S. and abroad are now referred to the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center,” added Lindsay Thomas, director of Oncology Services.
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane applauded the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center for its role in making Scottsdale
an international destination for cancer treatment and research, noting “Incredible breakthroughs right here touch people all around the globe with the potential to improve and extend quality of life for millions of people with cancer.”
The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center’s significant achievements include:
· Cancer Care Coordinators, a free “nurse navigator” service now duplicated in hospitals across the country.
· First in Phoenix to offer Phase I clinical trials of investigational cancer drugs, including more active Phase I clinical trials than any other cancer center in Arizona; often the first in the world to open new clinical trials.
· First in Phoenix with a cancer genetic risk program, a cancer exercise program, a music and art therapy program, a cancer information library open to the public, and a retail boutique dedicated to meeting the needs of cancer patients.
· First in Arizona to perform daVinci robot-assisted surgery for treatment of prostate cancer.
· First in Arizona with the Novalis shaped-beam radiation therapy system for tumors generally untreatable by surgery.
· Named primary clinical research site for the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and co-lead site for the Stand Up to Cancer pancreatic cancer research Dream Team, under the leadership of world-renowned oncologist and cancer researcher Daniel Von Hoff, MD, chief scientific officer for the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.
“East Valley residents are fortunate to have world-class care right here in their own back yards,” said Sadvary. “From our community physicians to physician scientists, you don’t need to travel elsewhere for the latest in medicine. Along with providing world-class patient care, we are providing stable, well-paying jobs in Scottsdale.”
“We know there is much work yet to be done in the battle with cancer. Our job is to give each person who walks through our doors the tools to help them through their battle, to help keep life in the moments,” added Sadvary.
The Scottsdale Healthcare cancer program holds Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Scottsdale Healthcare is the community-based, nonprofit parent organization of the Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. A leader in medical innovation, talent and technology, Scottsdale Healthcare was founded in 1962 and is Scottsdale’s largest employer. For more information, visit www.shc.org.
To view Dr. Von Hoff’s keynote address during the Scottsdale Mayor-Council Breakfast, visit http://youtu.be/OwW6p_5asGk.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Keith Jones, 480-323-1383; kjones@shc.org
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