Southeast Missouri Hospital's Regional Cancer Center offers excellent care

Southeast Missouri Hospital's new Regional Cancer Center will be the first of its kind in the region, offering world-class cancer treatments in a patient-centered environment.

Construction began last year on the $33 million cancer center at 817 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau. It's one of the largest construction projects in the hospital's history. The center is scheduled to open in December 2010.

The 49,200 square foot Regional Cancer Center will provide state-of-the-art cancer care in one convenient, easily accessible location with ample parking.

Hospital officials say the center, with its fluid design, technology and highly trained and expert staff of physicians and other health care personnel, will offer the best in cancer care.

The center will include physician offices, pharmacy, on-site lab, imaging, centralized and streamlined patient registration, education and counseling services, social services, dietetics, pastoral care, resource library, café and meeting rooms. The center will have an interior pedestrian link to the adjacent Southeast Regional Medical Complex, where some of these services will be housed.

Architect's rendering of the interior lobby of the Regional Cancer Center.

"At some point in our lives, cancer touches all of us in one way or another. Providing cancer patients with excellent care which results in the best possible outcome is a mission we do not take lightly," says hospital president and CEO Debbie Linnes. "Achieving excellence and delivering excellent care is something we plan for and strive for on a daily basis," she adds.

"Southeast already is well positioned as the region's leader in cancer care with a comprehensive program that can be equated to cancer centers in major cities across the nation," Linnes says.

Southeast Missouri Hospital was the provider of choice for more than 750 cancer patients and their families last year.

Southeast's cancer program has received three-year Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Only about 25 percent of the nation's hospitals have earned this prestigious designation. Approval is given only to those facilities that have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of cancer care and that undergo a rigorous evaluation process and performance review.

Patients receiving commission-approved cancer care at Southeast have access to:

Quality care close to home

Comprehensive care offering state-of-the-art services and equipment

A multispecialty, team approach to coordinate the best treatment options

Access to cancer-related information, education and support

A cancer registry that collects data on types and stages of cancers and treatment results, and offers lifelong patient follow-up

Ongoing monitoring and improvement of care

Information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatment options

The hospital employs five hematologists/oncologists: Roberto Martinez, M.D.; Celia Chan, M.D.; Krishnamohan Basarakodu (Dr. Krishna), M.D.; James C. Mosley III, M.D.; and Sri Laxmi Valasareddi, M.D.

In addition, Southeast has a highly experienced radiation oncology team led by Joseph P. Miller, M.D. The Radiation Therapy Department last year received the American College of Radiology (ACR) Accreditation in Radiation Therapy, making Southeast only the fourth radiation therapy center in Missouri to receive this prestigious recognition. Only about 200 of the approximately 2,500 radiation therapy centers in the nation have earned this status.

Dr. Martinez says the new cancer center will benefit patient care. "When the new Regional Cancer Center opens, we can consult with colleagues faster and easier and see patients before and after chemotherapy or radiation treatments," he points out.

Dr. Miller says Southeast Missouri Hospital, which has a history of cancer care dating back four decades, has an "unwavering commitment to providing patients with comprehensive and advanced treatment delivered by a caring and compassionate staff."