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CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology–Tyler Break Ground on Innovative Cancer Treatment & Research Facility


Tyler, TX, April 26, 2021 – The future of cancer care in Northeast Texas holds incredible promise as construction of the innovative Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute is officially underway with the groundbreaking ceremony set for noon on April 23, near the corner of Saunders and Lawrence on the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital - Tyler campus.

Leaders from CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology will join the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, providers, nurses and associates in celebrating this momentous occasion alongside local and regional officials and leaders.

CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology finalized plans for the 85,000-square-foot center, with an anticipated 2022 opening. The facility will consist of specialized areas for Texas Oncology–Tyler, including 30,000 square feet of clinic space for medical oncology, radiation oncology, and gynecologic oncology services, and nearly 3,000 square feet dedicated to research. These areas will also contain three linear accelerators for radiation therapy, 52 chemotherapy infusion stations – including six allotted to research and four private rooms as well as pharmacy and lab services and an exercise area for patients. Within the institute, CHRISTUS Health will house a 7,500-square-foot advanced imaging center with 3T MRI, PET/CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and more. There will be an additional 10,000 square feet of CHRISTUS Trinity clinic space in the new institute to support the surgical oncology programs of the Louise Herrington Cancer Center. Opened in 2020, Louise Herrington Cancer Center is an inpatient facility located within CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler, providing advanced, inpatient care for complex cancer patients.

“We are constantly working to determine the very best ways to provide cancer care to our patients, and perhaps the most effective way to do that is to have great relationships and great teams,” said Chris Glenney, FACHE, senior vice president of group operations, CHRISTUS Health; chief executive officer, CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas; president, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “We have had a successful collaboration with Texas Oncology for more than 25 years, with a wonderful clinic on our NorthPark campus in Tyler. They’ve been an ally and a collaborator, and this institute is a significant advancement for the people of Northeast Texas.”

“The combination of skilled inpatient care at CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology’s decades of experience in pioneering comprehensive, community-based care will continue to meet the varied cancer care needs of this region,” said R. Steven Paulson, M.D., president and chairman of the board of Texas Oncology. “It matters that patients can get needed treatment here, with critical support from family, friends and coworkers nearby.”

The new institute will position Tyler as a leader in important cancer research. At Texas Oncology –Tyler, a robust clinical trials and research program has helped in the development of major cancer breakthroughs including immunotherapy drugs such as Opdivo® and Keytruda®. Texas Oncology –Tyler has offered more than 550 clinical trials in which more than 8,100 area patients have participated.

“We are able to come together to jointly create clinical programs that improve care for our patients and expand upon Texas Oncology’s significant research projects, ultimately creating the opportunity to grow cancer services throughout Northeast Texas. That’s a big part of what the vision has been and will continue to be for cancer care for Texas Oncology and CHRISTUS Health,” said Mark Saunders, M.D., radiation oncologist and East Texas regional medical director for Texas Oncology.

“Alongside this talented team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses and associates, we will work collegially and collaboratively to provide advanced care and innovative services for cancer patients,” said Steven Curley, M.D., FACS, chief of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Oncology Institute. “We are proud of the many years of collaboration with our colleagues at Texas Oncology –Tyler in delivering the full spectrum of leading-edge cancer care.”

“Patients will have access to elite cancer care in their own backyard,” said Glenney. “As caregivers, we understand the importance of being close to home, near loved ones when facing something as challenging and life-changing as cancer. Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute can provide a full suite of high-level cancer care options right here in Tyler.”

About CHRISTUS Health

At CHRISTUS Health, we deliver a complete healing experience that respects the individual. We serve our communities with dignity. And with a good deal of admiration. CHRISTUS Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit system made up of more than 600 centers, including long-term care facilities, community hospitals, walk-in clinics and health ministries. We are a community 45,000 strong, with over 15,000 physicians providing individualized care. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston and San Antonio and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, our mission is to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to every individual we serve.

About Texas Oncology

With more than 530 physicians and 280 locations, Texas Oncology is an independent private practice that sees more than 71,000 new cancer patients each year. Founded in 1986, Texas Oncology provides comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care, and includes Texas Center for Proton Therapy, Texas Breast Specialists, Texas Colon & Rectal Specialists, Texas Oncology Surgical Specialists, Texas Urology Specialists and Texas Infusion and Imaging Center. Texas Oncology’s robust community-based clinical trials and research program has contributed to the development of more than 100 FDA-approved cancer therapies. Learn more at TexasOncology.com.