Community Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting at Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital

Oncology Services at Johnston-Willis Hospital Move into New Comprehensive Facility

Richmond, VA, May 7, 2009 -- Hospital staff, community leaders, and cancer survivors celebrated the grand opening of the Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital, Thursday, May 7, 2009. The new 80,000-square-foot building of the Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital on the Johnston-Willis Campus of CJW Medical Center is now home to all of the existing inpatient and outpatient cancer treatment, in addition to several support services and organizations including the Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center, the American Cancer Society and Stepping Stones, a cancer boutique.

“Today we celebrate the future of cancer treatment,” said Peter Marmerstein, CEO of CJW Medical Center. “Now all the award-winning cancer clinical services of the Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital are much more convenient for our patients. Every detail of this new facility was designed to make treatment as convenient as possible for our patients and guests.”

As opposed to most healthcare facilities, where patients may have to visit multiple buildings for diagnosis, to meet with a surgeon, and for follow-up treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation oncology, the design of the new Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital integrates all of these components just a few steps from the valet or convenient designated parking.

“This new facility will allow us to showcase our existing world class clinical care in a beautiful environment and give us the opportunity to provide the additional amenities such as all private rooms for inpatient treatment or private areas with many creature comforts for those receiving chemotherapy or other outpatient services,” said Steven Castle, Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital Administrator. “Even their families who visit will benefit from details such as wall-to-wall wireless access and support services such as our Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center.”

In 2008, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer awarded the oncology team its highest honor, the Outstanding Achievement Award. The Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital was the first in Central Virginia to receive this honor, as well as one of fewer than a hundred community hospitals in the nation.

“Here at Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital, we have physicians who are leaders in their fields and an experienced clinical team,” said Dr. Sam Graham, Medical Director of Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital.  “Our patients get outstanding clinical treatment right here in their own community.”

The new Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital was designed with input by doctors, nurses, patients, families and other clinical staff.  Some of the features and conveniences include:
 
Clinical Features & Accolades
• American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer Outstanding Achievement Award Winner
• HealthGrades America’s Top 50 Hospitals 2007, 2008
• National Clinical Research Trials
• Host Site to the Latest Technologies & Services Including: Gamma Knife, MammoSite™ Partial Breast Irradiation, Trilogy™ Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery
• Oncology Nurse Navigators to Guide Patients From Diagnosis Through Treatment and Survivorship
• Minimally Invasive Surgical Options
• Advanced Diagnostic Breast Center
• Genetic Screening
• Survivorship Planning
• The TJCH clinical team includes oncology certified nurses, specialized pharmacists, dieticians, nurse navigators, therapists, registered dieticians and social workers.
• Our board- certified physician team is comprised of specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology, gynecology, internal medicine, pathology, palliative care, plastic and reconstructive surgery, radiology, primary care, pulmonary medicine, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery and urology.

Onsite Conveniences & Support Services
• Coffee & Juice Bar
• Free Valet & Designated Parking
• The Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center with Specialized Support Groups & Library
• Stepping Stones (On-site Cancer Boutique)
• American Cancer Society Office
• Legal Information Network for Cancer (LINC)
• Rotating Clinic Area for Screenings and Other Community Events
• The Foot & Hand Spa
• Wall-to-Wall Wireless Access (coming soon)

About CJW Medical Center
CJW Medical Center has 758 beds on its two campuses. Chippenham Hospital, in the city of Richmond, offers a state-designated level III trauma center, The Levinson Heart Hospital and Tucker Pavilion; while Johnston-Willis Hospital, in Chesterfield County, offers the Thomas Johns Cancer Hospital and the Neuroscience & Gamma Knife Center. CJW Medical Center is a member of HCA Virginia Health System. www.CJWMedical.com

About HCA Virginia Health System – Central Virginia Market
With 1,800 beds, more than 6,600 employees and 1,600 affiliated physicians, the Central Virginia team of HCA Virginia Health System is the largest and most comprehensive healthcare provider and one of the largest private employers in Central Virginia.  In Central Virginia, HCA Virginia Health System operates six hospital campuses along with freestanding surgery, imaging and family health centers.  Our hospitals include Chippenham Hospital, Johnston-Willis Hospital, John Randolph Medical Center, Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, Parham Doctors’ Hospital and Retreat Doctors’ Hospital.  Both CJW Medical Center and Henrico Doctors’ Hospital have been named HealthGrades ‘America’s 50 Best Hospitals’ in 2007 and 2008. They are the only Virginia hospitals to earn this distinction two years in a row. For more information or to select a physician, please contact 804-320-DOCS or visit www.HCAvirginia.com.

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Media Contact:
JC Sadler
(804) 201-6543
JC.Sadler@HCAhealthcare.com