Hall-Perrine Cancer Center Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center?

• The center will be the largest comprehensive cancer healing environment in Cedar Rapids. 
• Home to many of the area’s finest cancer specialists – including physicians from Oncology Associates and Radiation Oncology of Cedar Rapids – within a single facility in the city’s proposed Medical District.
• Advanced, innovative cancer services in one central location, giving patients direct access to a treatment team dedicated to delivering coordinated cancer care in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 
• Patient-centered services/facilities including:

o       Image recovery center

o       Family respite center

o       Healing gardens

o       Patient- and family-centered chemotherapy infusion rooms

o       Meditation space

o       Integrated therapies

o       Cancer library

o       Easy-to-access surface parking

o       More patient choice – including treatment areas where 
         patients can be alone, with family or grouped with others

• New multidisciplinary clinics that will provide patients with a coordinated care team, including:

o       Medical Oncologists

o       Radiation Oncologists

o       Specialized Surgeons

o       Radiologists

o       Pathologists

o       Pulmonologists

o       Gastroenterologists

o       Oncology Certified Nurses

o       Nurse Navigators

o       Dietitians

o       Social Workers

How will the center achieve its goals?

• By bringing the best and brightest minds together for superior cancer care and research.
• By giving patients direct access to a treatment team dedicated to coordinating their cancer care.
• By connecting to Mercy Medical Center, patients will have access to existing cancer services and facilities, such as private inpatient rooms and advanced surgical suites, in one central location.   
• By investing in leading technology, participating in cancer research, and partnering with medical professionals who specialize in treating cancer. 
• By lowering overall healthcare costs through coordination, centralization and elimination of duplication.

Why does Cedar Rapids need the center?

Every year, more than 16,000 Iowans are diagnosed with cancer; now the state’s leading cause of death. In Linn County, one person dies from cancer every day. For decades, cancer and heart disease have, in Iowa, combined to account for nearly 50% or more of deaths. The cancer age adjusted death rate exceeded heart disease for the first time in 2007 (SOURCE: Cancer in Iowa 2010 Report).

Center-related advantages:    

• To deliver advancements in cancer treatment not currently provided in the community, such as: brain radiation options, image-guided surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery. 
• To house cancer treatment services in one-central location for patients.
• To meet patient demand. For example, the Hall Radiation Center currently treats about 60 patients per day and has capacity for more than 100 patients per day, and the augment in capacity should handle increased patient load for the next 20 years.
• To decreases the travel time for patients, family and friends, reducing travel and time away from work.
• To allow immediate, convenient access to the area’s only radiation center (60 percent of all cancer patients require radiation treatment).
• To provide a cost-effective way to deliver patient-centered cancer care. Cost savings include:

o       Eliminating duplicative services and equipment

o       Preventing fragmentation of cancer services by having
         everything located in one location.

o       Offering direct access to related critical cancer services
         without additional costs or splitting of services.

o       Decreasing the number of steps that cancer patients take
         for treatment

o       Enhancing employee job efficiency via building design

When does the center open?

Preliminary site work on the center is already underway. The official groundbreaking was in the spring of 2011, with completion of the facility scheduled for spring 2012.

Where is the center located?

701 10^th St. SE, positioned on the north side of Mercy’s campus with multiple linkages to the main hospital.

What is the cost of the center?

Construction costs are estimated at $24.6 million, which reflects a forward-thinking approach to allow additional expansion space for program growth, multiple linkages to the main hospital and added cost for equipment, furniture and fixtures.

Who is paying for the center?

Mercy will not be conducting a traditional capital fundraising campaign or seeking tax dollars to help defray the cost of the building. Mercy has been very prudent over the last several years in preparation of the development of its new destination cancer center and has the capacity to fund the project.

However, given the interest we've already seen from generous supporters, Mercy is offering opportunities for individuals to participate in the fight against cancer by bringing the center to full fruition. Whether an individual has personally been touched by cancer or affected by it through a loved one, there is the opportunity to contribute a gift.

Options include naming opportunities or contributing to an endowment for patients unable to cover the cost of their cancer treatment. Those types of gifts will allow contributors to play a direct and meaningful role in this milestone in our community's healthcare history.

Why is Mercy taking the lead on this effort?

• The nonprofit medical center has been the regional leader in cancer care for more than 50 years. The center is a logical extension of Mercy’s uncompromising vision of serving cancer patients and their families.

• Given the uncertainties of healthcare today, Mercy has an overriding responsibility to the community to maintain a strong and viable institution. That means building on existing strengths and investing in the future.

Why is Mercy considered the local leader in cancer care?

• Mercy’s record of innovation goes back to 1956, when Mercy became the first treatment center west of the Mississippi to offer cobalt-beam radiation treatment technology, due to the generosity of Howard Hall.  This was the first of many gifts by the Hall and Perrine families, who have a rich history of supporting Mercy in its mission to provide the best cancer care close to home.

• Since the opening of the Hall Radiation Center, Mercy has continuously innovated and advanced. Specifically, in the last 12 months, Mercy has invested $5 million in new technology with the purchase of a PET/CT, Trilogy Linear Accelerator and a wide bore CT. This leading-edge technology, along with TomoTherapy and other advanced cancer-fighting equipment, will be integrated into the center.

What is achieved by the center?

• The largest, most comprehensive cancer healing environment in our area. 

• Partnerships with many different healthcare providers to continue to bring the best care to our patients.

• Coordinated care for the cancer patient with direct access to an integrated care team and a unified care plan.

• One visit instead of several: nurse navigators will guide patients through the treatment process so patients can meet with their team of physicians – all in one place, in one visit – reducing the amount of time between diagnosis and treatment.

• Reduced healthcare costs. 

Will the building of the center effect traffic?

Mercy will not request closure for city streets or alterations to traffic patterns. 

What went into the design?

• Mercy’s leadership team worked closely with local architects and builders and researched other leading cancer centers from around the country.

• Mercy reached out to those battling cancer and their families, and the result is a patient-centered building. Chemotherapy rooms will include infusion stations that utilize natural lighting features and offer views of natural green space. Public spaces include a cancer library, recovery center, family-respite room, healing gardens and meditation space.

• The design also includes dedicated space for multidisciplinary clinics where, for example, nurse navigators will guide patients through the treatment process, and patients will be able to meet with different physicians – all in one place in one visit – reducing the amount of time between diagnosis and care. 

What are the design details?

The center will be a three-level, 85,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility with a primarily glass exterior and convenient access to all surface parking. More details include:

• The first floor will house public spaces including new integrated therapies, cancer library, image recovery center, family respite center, healing gardens and meditation space.

• The second floor allows space for future expansion. Site visits to other premiere cancer centers around the country identified growth space as a priority feature. This floor provides 23,500 sq. ft. for such expansion.

• The third floor will house new private and family-centered chemotherapy infusion rooms, a retail pharmacy, lab and space dedicated to research. Of note, based on patient input, this area will include infusion stations that utilize natural lighting features and offer views of natural green space.

• Outdoor features include all surface parking with reserved, close-in parking spaces for radiation patients, park benches, water features and ample green space. Per patient and focus group input, the green space that surrounds the facility will be one of the largest green spaces in downtown Cedar Rapids, second only to Greene Square Park.

• Future plans also include convenient access to on-campus overnight housing for family members and caretakers to keep families together during the treatment process.

• Mercy will register the center for a LEED certificate, which means an independent third-party verifies that the center meets the highest green building and performance measures.

How will the center contribute to economic development in Cedar Rapids?

• The center will be a signature investment within the city’s emerging medical district and support local economic development by becoming a medical destination.

• Mercy plans an "all local" approach to construction of the new facility, using area contractors and workers.

• More staff will be added for the ongoing operation of the facility and to provide new patient-centered services.

How many jobs will be created with the building of the center create?

The construction of the center will create an average of 50 full-time positions consistently for the next 14 months.

How will this impact PCI’s Medical Mall?

Mercy’s decision to move forward with the center is independent of the Medical Mall, which is a proposed ambulatory care facility of PCI, a for-profit, multi-specialty group of medical and surgical specialists.

How does this relate to the Medical District?

The center will be located in the proposed Medical District, and is expected to create new jobs and draw patients into the district. From the start, Mercy has been a leading supporter of the Medical District, which is the proposed initiative to create a medical hub to complement existing medical providers while fueling economic development downtown. The center will be a key facility of the Medical District.

What is the agreement with Oncology Associates?

Oncology Associates has become an affiliate of Mercy Medical Center. This affiliation will expand Mercy’s hospital-physician integrated care model.

How will the center help with the recruitment of new specialists to this area?

Just as the best professors are attracted to prestigious universities, leading cancer specialists will be drawn to this state-of-the art facility with advanced technology and high-quality care. 

What are the tax implications for the city?

As a nonprofit organization, Mercy reinvests its revenue into patient programs and services. However, its investment in the community is substantial. Mercy provides more than $5.95 million annually in unreimbursed support services and care to patients not covered adequately by health insurance or federal programs. Of that amount, more than $500,000 is dedicated to cancer patients and their families. Those expenses include everything from cancer screenings and education programs to patient-support groups and a survivor wellness program.

How does this fit into the larger context of health care reform?

Healthcare reform is pressuring hospitals, providers and health systems to control costs while maintaining a high level of quality. Duplication of services drives up costs. As a community, we need to leverage existing resources and consider costs when making decisions. Building onto Mercy’s already strong cancer treatment programs is a cost-effective approach to healthcare as it eliminates duplication and centralizes services.

As a patient, can I choose my own physician?

Patients will continue to have their choice of physicians for cancer care and physicians will continue to see patients at the hospital of the patient's choosing.

Will all physicians have access to the center?

Mercy’s cancer program was the first in this area to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, more than 20 years ago, in 1990. It was most recently re-accredited with commendations in 2008.