Download CONTACT: Hollye Staley, (859) 323

Public Relations
http://w2.uky.edu/UKPR/
CONTACT: Hollye Staley, (859) 323-6363
Melissa Cornett, (606) 487-7534
FOR RELEASE
New ARH Cancer Center in Hazard Teams Up with UK HealthCare's
Markey Cancer Center to Improve Region's Cancer Care
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 9, 2007) − State and local officials announced this week
the new $7 million cancer center at Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center is helping to
lead the way in the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in eastern
Kentucky. Through a unique affiliate partnership between ARH and UK HealthCare's
Markey Cancer Center in Lexington, this part of the region is now able to receive some
of today’s most advanced cancer services close to home. Located on the campus of the
ARH Regional Medical Center in Hazard, the ARH Cancer Center is a modern cancer
treatment facility offering advanced cancer care. It is now the fourth affiliate in the
Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network.
“As the largest provider of care in southeastern Kentucky, our communities
depend on us to provide them with local access to quality care and the most advanced
medical services,” said Jerry W. Haynes, President and CEO for Appalachian Regional
Healthcare. “This new cancer center will give patients access to the most
technologically advanced equipment in the region as well as caring and highly skilled
board-certified medical professionals with many years experience treating cancer."
"We are excited about this partnership with the University of Kentucky Markey
Cancer Center because it will further enhance the services provided at the cancer
center and will ensure the residents of Perry and surrounding counties receive the best
in cancer treatment here at home,” Haynes added.
Some features in the 10,000-square-foot cancer center include:
An Equal Opportunity University

A board certified radiation oncologist and a board certified medical oncologisthematologist with a combined total of nearly 40 years experience treating all
forms of cancer

A board certified radiation physicist, along with ARRT certified radiation
therapists

The latest in treatment techniques from Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
(IMRT) to Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

Varian Clinac® iX Radiation Therapy Linear Accelerator, which delivers the most
accurate radiation beams using image-guided radiation therapy to precisely
target cancers and rotates around the patient to deliver treatment from almost
any angle

State-of-the-art radiation therapy treatment planning system

GE CT Therapy Simulator, custom-designed to replicate patient position and
imaging as they will be treated on the linear accelerator

A dedicated chemotherapy suite, which will offer patients comfortable La-Z-Boy
recliner treatment chairs and more

Educational and support group meeting room

Additional exam rooms and expanded patient and family waiting areas
"The major goal of the Markey Cancer Center is to improve the care of cancer
patients throughout Kentucky," said Dr. Robert T. Means, Jr., interim director of Markey
Cancer Center. "We meet this goal by partnering with local hospitals like Hazard ARH to
provide first-line cancer care in the community setting. The Markey Cancer Center in
Lexington also is available to provide highly complex care that is not practical for
community hospitals. This means the citizens of Kentucky do not need to leave the
Commonwealth to get nationally recognized, state-of-the-art care. Furthermore, patients
at our affiliates are able to participate in clinical studies that help turn scientific
knowledge into clinical care."
"The Markey Cancer Center is honored that Hazard ARH has chosen to partner with
us as we both strive to improve the care of our neighbors," Means said.
About the Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network
Last year, Markey Cancer Center took a step toward moving its advanced cancer
care into communities throughout the state, while also assuring that when more
advanced treatment is needed beyond the community level, patients have access to
quality and continuity of care at the Lexington campus location. A network affiliation
agreement with hospitals throughout the state is working to create a collaborative
provider network to expand and enhance cancer care in communities and develop
relationships so patients can stay close to home for cancer treatment.
Participating in the Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network are St. Claire
Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Rockcastle Hospital and Respiratory Care
Center in Mt. Vernon, Harrison Memorial in Cynthiana and Hazard ARH Regional
Medical Center.
“The University of Kentucky is a health care resource for the Commonwealth,”
said Dr. Michael Karpf, UK executive vice president for health affairs. “With this
collaboration, we are not only enhancing the level of care provided on our own campus,
but also throughout Southern, Central and Eastern Kentucky.”
The Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network creates an association of health
care providers throughout the state who collaborate with Markey Cancer Center
clinicians and researchers for the purpose of improving quality of care, preventive
medicine, education and research into cancer and related diseases throughout the
Commonwealth. As Markey Cancer Center expands its advanced cancer care on
campus with recruitment of internationally known cancer care specialists, it also is
focused on insuring the best cancer care available in the Commonwealth and
developing a link into communities so patients can stay in their community and still have
access to care in Lexington in an efficient manner.
“Patients should have access to appropriate care in their community and have
strong community providers,” Karpf said. “We want to offer care close to the patient’s
home and family. It’s important for people to be close to their own community support
network.”
The broad network of hospitals throughout the state will impact and sustain
quality of care in local communities. Patients also will have access to Markey Cancer
Center research programs, and tumor boards will be on-site to oversee the quality of
care. A constant influx of new scientists, ideas and technologies keeps Markey Cancer
Center at the forefront in the fight against cancer. Markey Cancer Center was nationally
ranked 46 in U.S. News & World Report's 2007 list of best cancer hospitals.
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In striving to become a Top 20 public research institution, the University of Kentucky is a catalyst for a
new Commonwealth – a Kentucky that is healthier, better educated, and positioned to compete in a
global and changing economy. For more information about UK’s efforts to become a Top 20 university,
please go to http://www.uky.edu/OPBPA/Top20.html