Expanding to Meet Your Needs

A new location for cancer services is on the way

Over the next 18 months, Shannon's Downtown campus will be expanding to update facilities and provide additional space for our patients. The $36 million project will be funded by the Shannon Trust.

"As Shannon continues to grow, our goal is to maintain first-rate facilities, technology and providers for our patients," says Len Mertz, managing trustee of Shannon West Texas Memorial Hospital. "This expansion has been a longtime goal of the trustees, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has been a bit distracted. The projects are focused on creating additional access and convenience for our patients so they can have the best possible care and experience at Shannon. It will also give us the opportunity to consolidate services into comprehensive centers for our patients."

The expansion project will include a new multi-story building to house the Shannon Outpatient Pharmacy, along with office space for support services on the upper floors, a new building for the Shannon Cancer Center and a parking garage structure. The new facilities will be located within the city block between Beauregard and Twohig streets, between Oakes and Magdalen.

The new space for the Shannon Pharmacy, which is currently located within the block at 119 E. Beauregard, will be approximately 6,000 square feet and will house new services, including durable medical equipment, a mixing room for IV and compound medications, and an automated packager for medications. The new entrance will be on Oakes Street and will feature improved parking and two drive-thru lanes.

Comprehensive, Convenient Cancer Care

The largest component of the project includes a two-story, 51,000-square-foot building for the new Shannon Cancer Center. Currently Shannon Oncology Center and Shannon Radiation Therapy Services (formerly Regional Cancer Treatment Center) reside within Shannon Clinic Magdalen. The new facility will consolidate all outpatient oncology care and treatment services into one location as a comprehensive center of excellence to enhance multidisciplinary services for patients.

"In addition to providing more convenience for patients by housing all of the necessary services for cancer care together in one place, the new center will further integrate the providers and staff who know and understand the patient throughout the process," says Shane Plymell, President and CEO of Shannon. "Our team has worked together to design this new center of excellence to provide patients the best care with seamless service, focused on helping them and their family through this journey."

A Look at the New Cancer Center

Radiation oncology will be located on the first floor and will include exam rooms and treatment space for two linear accelerator machines to provide radiation therapy. It will also feature a dedicated CT for radiation therapy treatment planning and capacity for expanded treatment modalities, including high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. The first floor will also include exam and treatment space for medical oncology. It will have 28 chemotherapy and infusion chairs, doubling treatment capacity to serve more patients each day. It will also include a dedicated pharmacy and lab for these patients.

The second floor will include spaces for patient education and support resources, like patient navigation and nutrition and genetic counseling. It will also include offices for visiting oncology specialists with enhanced technology to deliver virtual and telehealth services to support personalized oncology care. Additionally, the center will have an outdoor garden space for patients to enjoy during treatment.

"Cancer cases continue to grow from Tom Green County and the surrounding region," says Plymell. "We want patients to be able to receive the best care at home with their support system of family and friends. This new facility will allow us to recruit up to two more medical oncologists and another radiation oncologist as needed in the future, so care remains timely and efficient."

To accommodate patients and staff for the new downtown buildings, the project also includes a five-story parking structure with approximately 300 spaces. It will provide direct entrances to the second floors of the Shannon Cancer Center and the adjacent pharmacy and office building.

"Most hospitals cannot do projects like this in our current health care economy," says Plymell. "We are fortunate to have the local support of the Shannon Trust, with their focus on providing the best facilities for our patients, so we can ensure we have the capacity to serve our community as it continues to grow in the future."

Comprehensive Care

The Shannon Cancer Center offers state-of-the-art treatment, and our support services are there for you every step of the way. Visit shannonhealth.com/cancer for details.

Cancer Care