Salem Regional begins $1.1 million capital campaign

Staff report

SALEM

Salem Regional Medical Center announced plans to expand its oncology department and simultaneously launched a $1.1 million capital campaign to help pay for the project.

The oncology expansion project is one aspect of SRMC’s overall facility planning efforts to address the renovations to be made in the vacated space, which occurred as a result of moving the inpatient units to the private room tower, hospital officials said.

The project also includes a new orthopedics clinic on the first floor in the area previously occupied by the intensive care unit, which will include six exam rooms, two offices, a procedure room and support areas.

Also, the outpatient procedure rooms and pain clinic will be relocated to this new space, which will include four procedure rooms.

The total estimated construction cost for the new oncology unit, orthopedics clinic and outpatient procedure area is $4.6 million, hospital officials said.

To help pay for the project, the Salem Regional Medical Center Foundation is inviting community members to join the fight against cancer through the launch of its capital campaign, “Community Champions — Expanding Cancer Care Together.”

“Nearly everyone has been touched by cancer in some way, either as a patient, loved one or caregiver of someone facing this disease,” said Lisa Long, SRMC director of development.

“Fighting the battle against cancer takes the support of an entire community. We are inviting area residents to join us in this important campaign, as we expand local access to advanced cancer care,” Long said.

A variety of giving levels is available, including a number of naming opportunities within the new oncology unit.

Long said contributors of $1,000 or more will be recognized on a special donor wall, which will be near the new unit’s entrance. Personal, corporate and organizational gifts also are welcome, she said.

SRMC’s 3,500-square-foot oncology unit opened in 1999, with two group-treatment rooms originally designed to care for a smaller number of patients. At 11,900 square feet, the new cancer-treatment center will be three times the size of the current unit’s space.

Scheduled for completion in September 2015, the new space will include 15 private treatment bays, four private treatment rooms, a community treatment center with six patient-care stations surrounding a fireplace, space and resources for patient and family education and a patient boutique offering wigs, hats and scarves, Long said.

For information or to make a donation, contact Long at 330-337-2883.