CORTLANDT, N.Y. -- Congresswoman Nan Hayworth (R - Mt. Kisco) toured Hudson Valley Hospital Centers new Comprehensive Cancer Care Center yesterday, which is currently under construction and expected to open in November.
The $25 million facility will offer all inpatient and outpatient treatments in one setting, with staff focused on providing care and a coordinated approach that treats the whole patient, not just the disease, according to hospital staff.
Hayworth was also briefed by hospital officials on developments, including the progress of the cancer care center and toured other parts of the hospital, such as the Progressive Care Unit and the Emergency Room, which were expanded as part of the hospitals $100 million renovation last year.
Hudson Valley Hospital Centers Comprehensive Cancer Care Center will be a great addition to the community, said hospital president John C. Federspiel. Since much of cancer care is out-patient based, offering superior outpatient services so close to home will reduce stress on patients and families.
Following the tour, Hayworth said she was very impressed with the hospitals expansion and the fact that it would now be offering cancer services.
I was particularly fascinated by the no-wait emergency department and the changes that have gone on there, she said. The hospital has really grown and has so much to offer the community.
The 54,000 square-foot, three-story building now under construction will include the Comprehensive Cancer Center with doctors offices on the top floors and will feature 18 single-patient bays.
Among the cancer specialists lured to the new facility by Federspiel was Dr. Roy Ashikari, founder of Ashikari Breast Cancer Center in New York City and Dobbs Ferry. Ashikari will be joined by his son Dr.Andrew Ashikari and Dr. Pond Kellerman when the Ashikari Center at HVHC opens in the new cancer center when its complete.
The three men are already seeing patients elsewhere in the hospital. Ashikari said he was very impressed with the new building and said it was ideal for reaching patients further north of New York City.
I was telling the congresswoman, 50 percent of the patients in this area are going to the city, Ashikari said. We dont need that. We can do the best care here.
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