OU Cancer Institute nears opening
The center seeks the national gold standard of care ranking for its services
BY SUSAN SIMPSON
Comments 
0
Published: November 4, 2009
University of Oklahoma officials on Tuesday celebrated the construction mid-point on the $120 million OU Cancer Institute.
Related content
More Info
OU Cancer Institute
The 210,000-square-foot building will include the latest generation of proton radiation therapy and the state’s only cancer Phase I Clinical Trials Center.
It also will have outpatient clinical programs; multidisciplinary, organ-site based oncology clinics; chemotherapy infusion facilities; traditional radiation and brachytherapy options; and comprehensive diagnostic imaging services. An array of patient and family support services will be offered, as well as a conference center and cancer patient resource center.
The building also will house physician offices and administrative offices.
NewsOK Related Articles
The structure is set to open next November on the OU Health Sciences Center campus, offering research, education, treatment and prevention.
Officials are seeking designation as a
National Cancer Institute, the gold standard for cancer research and care in the
United States, OU officials said. The new seven-story building will also include the state’s only center for conducting Phase 1 clinical trials for cancer treatment.
OU President David Boren said the institute will be a place of healing.
"It’s inspiring,” he said. "This is an institute that will change the lives of people.”
Funding includes donations and grants, state appropriations and revenue from the state tobacco tax. One in two men and one in three women are expected to get cancer at some time, statistics show.
"It’s our public enemy No. 1,” said
Dr. Robert Mannel, director of the
OU Cancer Institute. He said research will move from "bench to bedside” to benefit patients.
Students will also benefit by working alongside scientists and medical professionals dedicated to bringing quality care to patients, said
Dewayne Andrews, executive dean of the
OU College of Medicine.
Christy Everest, chairman and chief executive officer of
The Oklahoma Publishing Co., co-chairs the OU Cancer Institute private fundraising campaign with her husband, Jim Everest.
She said the institute will bring top scientists and doctors to
Oklahoma. Christy Everest said several of her family members were treated for cancer at OU, including her husband and her son, Jimmy, who died in 1992.
"I know my family is not unique,” she said. "More than one-third of citizens will hear the words ‘You have cancer.’”
Jim Edwards, a five-year survivor of pancreatic cancer, said OU doctors have given him excellent care.
"We were treated with care, dignity and respect,” he said. "With this new facility, we expect that will continue even more so.”
Leave a Comment
News Photo Galleriesview all
Prev
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Log in below or sign up (it's free).