CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH KELLY JEFFERSON
CLICK TO HEAR JACK HALL’S INTERVIEW WITH TODD LAFAVE
Escanaba’s OSF St. Francis Hospital on Friday announced plans to build a new cancer center, offering more room for oncology services to be offered there.
It will be named after the late Dan Kobasic, whose foundation made a “sizeable donation” to the OSF capital campaign. The center will also utilize $1.5 million in federal grants.
“Our involvement was contingent on the federal government getting involved,” said Todd LaFave with the Kobasic Foundation. “When OSF started going down the road toward building a cancer clinic, it was just a natural fit for us. Dan had been hospitalized here briefly before his death, and the care of the nurses and the doctors was just fabulous. So, it didn’t take us long to decide that we were going to make a commitment.”
St. Francis Hospital President Kelly Jefferson says the plan is to use the space where the old kidney dialysis center was located, a space more recently used for drive through COVID-19 testing services.
“We’re excited to be finally kicking off construction for our new cancer care building,” Jefferson said. “It will really expand our cancer care capabilities. It’s enhanced just through our ability to treat more individuals in a more efficient, timely manner. We’re landlocked right now. We’re limited in the current space we’re in. So, we’ll have additional treatment days, and for things like consultations, so you can meet in a comfortable environment to talk about the treatment plan that you’re going to need.”
Jefferson says the first shovels of dirt should be moved within the next week or two, with construction wrapping up sometime late next spring or early summer.
Jefferson also thanked U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) for his involvement in securing the $1.5 million dollar grant that made the project possible. Peters was en route to Escanaba from Lower Michigan Friday when his plane turned back because of mechanical issues, delaying his U.P. trip.
Peters did issue a statement, though.
“OSF St. Francis plays a critical role in ensuring residents and families from across the region can access the medical care they need,” Peters said. “That’s why I was proud to help secure federal funding to establish this new facility – which will help OSF St. Francis meet its growing demand for cancer care and expand – as well as enhance – services available to patients.”
Oncology services at OSF St. Francis are provided through a collaboration between OSF and Green Bay Oncology, a relationship that has served the local community since 1994. When this facility is finished next year, they’ll have more room to provide that care.
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