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A grand opening ceremony was held at the Grandview Cancer Center on Thursday, May 31. (REPORTER PHOTOS/STEPHEN DAWKINS)

BIRMINGHAM – A grand opening ceremony was held on Thursday, May 31, for Grandview Medical’s new Cancer Center.

“This is an exciting day for us and another milestone for the Grandview Health campus,” said Drew Mason, CEO of Grandview Medical Center. “Over the last 12 months, while construction was underway we were working behind the scenes to bring together the best technology and experts for treating cancer. Under the physician leadership of Cancer Center Director Jennifer De Los Santos, we will provide a comprehensive approach to cancer care.”

Construction of the center, which is located on Grandview’s main campus, began in May 2017.

The free-standing, two-story building consists of 26,000 square feet and includes a linear accelerator, pharmacy, chemotherapy infusion bays and large-bore PET/CT scanner for diagnostic studies and simulations.

Mason said Grandview officials knew they had to provide more than “a shiny, new building.”

“We knew we had to compete at the bedside, and we knew we had to be better,” he said.

Radiation oncology is located on the first floor of the building, and hematology/oncology services are on the second floor.

“In addition to advanced medical technologies, the comprehensive approach of the facility will include personalized treatment,” De Los Santos said. “This personalized treatment will be based on the latest molecular diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in cancer care and will be implementing team-based approaches to care that include interdisciplinary clinics and research.”

Also speaking at the grand opening ceremony were Keith Granger, regional president of CHS; U.S. Representative Gary Palmer; Jim Gorrie, CEO of Brasfield & Gorrie; and Jimmie Harvey, chairman of the Grandview cancer committee.

Palmer said the new center will benefit all Alabamians through enhancing economic development.

“I really think this facility is going to be representative of the quality of life in the state of Alabama,” Palmer said. “This enhances the quality of life for all of us.”

Harvey said the opening of the facility marks the realization of years of work.

“This building we’re dedicating has been a dream for a long time,” he said. “Today, our dreams are coming true.”

After the invocation by Bob Anderson, director of pastoral care, and remarks from the speakers, a ribbon cutting was held and then guests were invited to tour the facility.

The first floor of the Grandview Cancer Center is scheduled to open to patients on June 6, and the second floor will follow on June 11.

Brasfield & Gorrie was the general contractor for the project, and Earl Swensson Associates provided architectural services.

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