Lehigh Valley Health Network Breaks Ground on Cancer Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) shared the groundbreaking for its newest cancer center at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hazleton in the safest way possible – virtually. The prerecorded event was shared via Facebook Live, and is now available to view below or on the LVHN Facebook or LVH–Hazleton Facebook pages.

The new cancer center will be part of Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, which offers leading-edge cancer treatments and clinical trials to individuals within their own community. The Cancer Institute is also one of only three cancer centers in the country participating in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance (MSK Cancer Alliance), which provides patients with additional lifesaving care options close to home.

“Receiving a cancer diagnosis is one of the most difficult moments in someone’s life, and we are committed to supporting everyone, individually, throughout their cancer journey by providing comprehensive advanced care closer to home,” said Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA, LVHN President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “Our health care team is humbled to heal, comfort and care for the wonderful people of the Greater Hazleton region.”

During the virtual presentation, Michael Evans, MD, medical director of LVHN cancer centers at Hazleton and Schuylkill, said a critical need for convenient access to quality cancer care in our region continues to grow. The new cancer center will fulfill this need and more with tumor boards and expanded telehealth capabilities that will allow patients to consult with cancer specialists throughout LVHN without having to travel.

“The centerpiece of this new cancer center will be a state-of-the-art linear accelerator with a CT simulator that can deliver precision stereotactic radiation therapy to treat cancer,” said Evans. “This will truly raise the bar for cancer care in LVHN’s Northwest region.” LVHN’s Northwest region includes Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

When completed, the new 32,000-square-foot, $20 million cancer center will have three floors and include the Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG) Hematology Oncology physician practice, an expanded infusion suite with private therapy rooms, radiation oncology services, telemedicine capabilities and a session suite for rotating cancer specialists.

“The need is very clear, and this expansion will allow our patients to receive many of their treatments in a centralized location,” said Terry Purcell, President, LVHN Northwest Region. “Our community will benefit greatly from this advanced cancer facility, and we are very proud to build upon and enhance the current cancer services we offer.”

Purcell thanked elected officials, zoning boards and commissions of the city of Hazleton for their ongoing support. He also thanked members of LVHN and LVH–Hazleton Boards of Trustees, leadership teams and staff of LVH–Hazleton, LVHN and Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute for their innovative planning and patient-centered thinking, and their facilities and construction partners who are bringing this project to life.

The cancer center is expected to open spring 2023.