Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
New Asplundh Cancer Pavilion to open doors
ABINGTON » Leaders from Abington — Jefferson Health, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health and members of the community recently gathered to cut the ribbon on the Asplundh Cancer Pavilion, which will open its doors to the public July 2.
The 86,000-square-foot outpatient center located at 3941 Commerce Ave., Willow Grove, offers a continuum of outpatient care, clinical trials and support services in one facility for patients undergoing treatments who will receive the state-of-the-art care close to home.
“Four years ago, we realized a growing need for comprehensive cancer services in our community,” said Meg McGoldrick, president of Abington — Jefferson Health. “Today, we are able to fulfill that need because of the tremendous support received from the generosity of others — both from the community at large and the Asplundh family.”
The new pavilion cost $80 million, and $50 million of that cost was raised in the community. More than 3,000 individuals made gifts, ranging from $1 to $3.5 million. The momentum generated by $10 million in gifts from the children of the late Carl and Emilie Asplundh and their extended families and more than 150 gifts received in memory of the late Chris Asplundh made the campaign grow.
“A cancer diagnosis is something that no one should ever face alone,” said Steven J. Cohen, MD, medical director, Asplundh Cancer Pavilion, and chief of medical oncology and hematology at Abington — Jefferson Health. “Under one roof, our patients and their families will find every available outpatient resource — from the latest clinical trials to our Image Recovery Center — all paired with excellence in multidisciplinary clinical care.”
The spectrum of cancer care provided at the Asplundh Cancer Pavilion includes multi-disciplinary clinics, radiation therapy, private and group infusion suites, an outpatient procedure suite, a dedicated oncology pharmacy, financial counselors, navigators, nutrition, genetic counselors, social work and expanded offerings in clinical trials. Patients needing inpatient or emergency care can receive treatment at any of Jefferson Health’s hospitals including Magnet-designated Abington Hospital — Jefferson Health, which is located less than four miles from the Pavilion.
“The ability of Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center to offer access to the latest treatment and technologies at the Asplundh Cancer Pavilion, including clinical trials, will be a major step forward for the region. This is the most advanced
A press release from Abington — Jefferson Health
form of cancer care, and our multi-disciplinary teams will develop treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs,” said Karen Knudsen, PhD, enterprise dDirector of the NCIdesignated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center — Jefferson Health. “There’s tremendous integration between the Abington and Center City locations. Specialists from both campuses collaborate to ensure highlevel clinical care and clinical trial availability.”
Cancer services in the new Asplundh Pavilion are fully integrated with the NCIdesignated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center — Jefferson Health in Center City, one of only 70 NCI-designated cancer centers in the country. Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center is the sole provider of cancer care at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. More than 15 of the 55 specialty physicians at the Pavilion also see patients at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in Center City.
The new radiation therapy suite is home to three linear accelerators linked to a record-and-verify computerized system that ensures the accurate and safe delivery of radiation treatments. New stereotactic technology provides precise, highdose treatments in a shorter period of time for select patients with lung, brain, spine and prostate cancers.
The Asplundh Cancer Pavilion features meeting space for cancer support groups, gardens with walking paths, a café, as well as an Image Recovery Center offering specialized manicures and pedicures, skin care, cosmetology consultations, breast prostheses fittings, head coverings and wigs. Fewer than 20 Image Recovery Centers exist nationwide. The Image Recovery Center at Asplundh Cancer Pavilion will work with Jefferson’s lymphedema specialists on treatment, wrapping and garments.
“Our design team did an incredible job bringing the outdoors into the Pavilion with abundant natural light, birch and moss design elements and views of the surrounding greenery,” said Peg O’Grady, administrative director, oncology at Abington — Jefferson Health. “Research shows that the environment has an effect on the burden of disease and healing times, so we were sure to make each choice thoughtfully.”
The design team interviewed patients and their family members and engaged the Patient and Family Advisory Council as a sounding board on furniture choices, interior design samples and artwork. Local stone, indigenous plants and local contractors were used.
Conveniently located just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Willow Grove interchange, the LEED-certified building uses window frit for energy conservation and linen etched glass for natural light and privacy. Hidden supplies reduce the institutional feel of typical healthcare settings.