FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 20, 2009

SJMH Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the New

David C. Pratt Cancer Center at St. John’s Mercy Hospital

 Officials from St. John’s Mercy Hospital, St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, local governments and others attended the Oct. 23 ribbon cutting ceremony at the new David C. Pratt Cancer Center at St. John’s Mercy Hospital in Washington.

“St. John’s Mercy Hospital is changing the face of cancer care in the area with expanded services and a partnership with the David C. Pratt Cancer Center at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, our sister facility in Creve Coeur,” said Terri L. McLain, president of St. John’s Mercy Hospital. “It means that most patients with cancer will no longer have to drive far from home when they are sick to receive life-saving cancer services. They can receive treatment close to home, which will bring them and their loved ones comfort and peace of mind at a time when they need it the most.”

The cancer center features a new, centralized infusion therapy center, the Dardick Family Infusion Therapy Center, where patients can receive fluids or medications directly into the bloodstream. It also offers the advanced radiation technology of a linear accelerator, which delivers a uniform dose of high-energy X-ray through a beam that can be adjusted to the size of the patient’s tumor. The X-rays can destroy cancer cells in the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue from harm.

The new Cancer Center in Washington has a direct partnership with its namesake, the renowned David C. Pratt Cancer Center at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in Creve Coeur. The two facilities share top-rated physicians, advanced imaging and diagnostics, specialized treatments for less common cancers and access to clinical trials. If patients do need the more specialized services available at the medical center, it is a smooth continuum of care because the two centers also share access to patients’ electronic medical records.

“We wish that providing cancer services was an unnecessary thing in this world. Until it is, people need care that brings them hope and comfort as they face the biggest health challenge of their lives,” McLain said.

She added, “The Cancer Center is a gift to the people we serve from the Sisters of Mercy, but we consider ourselves blessed and privileged to help others in their time of need.”

                                                                               ###