Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - A proposed freestanding cancer center in Ada, Oklahoma, is the result of an unprecedented and exciting collaboration between Mercy and the Chickasaw Nation. Mercy and the Chickasaw Nation have a shared passion to help more patients win their cancer battles while they remain close to home – surrounded by loved ones during one of the most challenging times of their lives. That’s why we are joining forces to improve the quality of cancer care in Oklahoma. Rural Americans face unique challenges when it comes to cancer care. According to the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, the poverty level and the uninsured in our service area is higher than both state and national averages. Also, rural residents are older with less education and income than their urban counterparts. When cancer occurs within this population, the outcomes are generally worse due to late diagnosis and limited access to care which unfortunately causes higher mortality rates. Furthermore, patients must often drive several miles out of town to receive care which can further impact their treatment outcomes. The current demand for cancer care outpaces available resources at Mercy Hospital Ada. Furthermore, a cancer center 60 miles east of the hospital recently closed, and Mercy is now caring for those patients. The new center will expand access to serve more people while enhancing the quality of care. Everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, are welcome to receive care at Mercy. To address this gap, the concept of the Ada Community Cancer Center was created. The project will be a partnership between Mercy and the Chickasaw Nation. The Valley View Foundation has graciously donated up to 20 acres of land adjacent to the main hospital to construct the center. The center will increase access to more advanced treatment options and provide additional capacity to serve more patients. The proposed $40.5M 40,000 square-foot, community cancer center will include: • Advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, including radiation therapy and CT, PET and 3D imaging. • Expanded space for infusion therapy rooms, a comfortable waiting area, conference room and specialty pharmacy. • Clinic space for more cancer specialties, including breast, lung, colon, skin and others. • Support for patients’ physical, spiritual and emotional health. • Professional nurse navigators to guide patients and coordinate care during and after treatment. The project will serve a five-county region (Garvin, Hughes, Johnston, Pontotoc, and Seminole) with a population of 122,778 in addition to other communities and rural areas as well as neighboring Chickasaw Nation with a population of more than 49,000.
