Final Steel Beam Placed for Cancer Center at LVH–Hazleton

Five months after breaking ground, construction crews today placed the final steel beam to top-off the framework for Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) latest project, a new state-of-the-art cancer center at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hazleton.

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.

“This beam raising brings us one step closer to opening our doors in late summer of 2023 and offering the community an even higher level of cancer care,” said Terrence Purcell, LVHN Northwest Region and LVH–Hazleton President. “This $20 million, 32,000-square-foot building will house the latest in technology and is designed with the patient’s comfort in mind.”

“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 Suresh Nair, MD, Physician in Chief of Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. “Our health care team is humbled to heal, comfort and care for the wonderful people of the Greater Hazleton region.”

When completed, the new 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, expanded telemedicine capabilities and a session suite for rotating cancer specialists. 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.

“The need is very clear as cancer is the second leading cause of death in Luzerne County. This expansion will allow our patients to receive many of their treatments in a centralized location,” says Michael Evans, MD, with LVPG Hematology Oncology and Practice Lead of LVH–Hazleton and LVH–Schuylkill Cancer Centers. “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 at the LVHN Cancer Center on the Airport Beltway in Hazle Township.”