Southampton Hospital Breaks Ground On New Cancer Center

Cancer mortality, incidence, and prevalence in South Fork residents are disproportionately high compared to New York State and the nation.

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Soon cancer patients on the East End will have less of a drive to seek treatment and supportive care.

Southampton Hospital and local officials broke ground at the site of the future Phillips Family Cancer Center on Saturday.

The Cancer Center, to located on County Road 39, will be a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed by Bridgehampton architect Blaze Makoid, a release from the hospital said.

Construction is slated to begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 18 months.

The Cancer Center will provide all the services that cancer patients require, including treatment planning following diagnosis, radiation and chemo therapies, navigation and education, and supportive care in a dedicated facility.

The facility will be a fully integrated site of the Stony Brook Cancer Center and benefit from medical expertise and program development. Patients will also have access to Stony Brook’s clinical trials.

To bring the highest quality of care and support to patients utilizing the Phillips Family Cancer Center, Southampton Hospital will be collaborating with many local organizations, including The Ellen Hermanson Foundation, The Coalition for Women’s Cancers at Southampton Hospital, Lucia’s Angels, and Fighting Chance, the release said.

The need is critical: Cancer mortality, incidence, and prevalence among South Fork residents are disproportionately high compared to New York State and national benchmarks, and they are approximately 30 percent higher than national trends, hospital officials said.

"Patients living on the South Fork who are fighting this disease also have to travel long distances to get quality care at a time when they are very vulnerable and often debilitated," the release said.

The Phillips Family Cancer Center will alleviate the time-consuming and exhausting burden of traveling far for necessary care, hospital representatives said.

“The Phillips Family Cancer Center will bring life-changing services to those living with cancer on the East End of Long Island,” said Kevin Unruh, vice president, imaging and cancer services. “A facility offering everything from treatments to support in one convenient location has never been more crucial.”

Southampton Hospital was able to develop the Cancer Center thanks to a generous gift from the Phillips Family, along with subsequent fundraising.

However, an additional $2 million is still needed to support equipment, medical technology and program needs.

For information on how to donate, call (631) 726-8700.

Patch courtesy photo.