Meadowview Regional Medical Center Celebrates $7.6 Million Cancer Center Expansion, Growing Cancer Program

Maysville, KY – On May 19, Meadowview Regional Medical Center (MRMC), part of LifePoint Health, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the expansion of its cancer treatment facilities in Maysville, Ky. and announce its formal collaboration with the University of Kentucky (UK) Markey Cancer Center as part of the UK Markey Cancer Center Affiliate Network (MCCAN). A small group of leaders from the hospital, LifePoint and MCCAN gathered to celebrate the reopening of the facility and launch of the collaboration. The expansion of the cancer treatment facility is made possible by a $7.6 million investment from LifePoint Health.

Above: MRMC, LifePoint, Markey and MCCAN leaders ceremoniously cut the ribbon for the expanded treatment center

“I am so pleased to have you all here with us today as we celebrate a transformative new chapter for our community,” said Joe Koch, market president and chief executive officer of MRMC. “With the expansion of this facility, the launch of additional cancer treatment services and our new collaboration with Markey, Meadowview Regional Medical Center will be this region’s home for cancer care. We will be fighting with you and for you, right here in Maysville.”

Included in the expansion of the cancer treatment center at MRMC is a high-precision radiotherapy system. As a fundamental piece of MRMC’s radiation oncology department, the new radiotherapy system will deliver radiation treatments that will treat a wider array of cancer cases using a diverse range of radiation therapies. This new system will make it possible to deliver more effective care. The facility also houses a CT simulator, which allows precise treatment planning by transmitting X-rays through tissue to create a detailed graphic display of the tumor and surrounding healthy tissue.

Above: MRMC’s new linear accelerator, which enables high-precision radiotherapy treatment at the expanded cancer center

The architect for the cancer center expansion project is Stengel Hill Architecture. The general contractor is Wehr Constructors, Inc. 

“The completion of this expansion is just one more example of our commitment to the Kentucky communities that we serve,” said Cherie Sibley, FACHE, president of LifePoint’s central division, of which MRMC is a part. “LifePoint Health is proud to partner with Meadowview Regional Medical Center to continue transforming the health of this region by expanding access to cancer care services and more specialized cancer treatment.”

With the announcement of MRMC’s collaboration with the UK Markey Cancer Center, MRMC is now considered a candidate member of the UK MCCAN and is making steps toward becoming a full affiliate member.

As part of the formal collaboration, the UK Markey Cancer Center will assist MRMC in preparing for their American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer accreditation, which is the quality standard for all MCCAN sites.

"We are excited to work with Meadowview Regional Medical Center in building a strong oncology program," said Dr. Timothy Mullett, medical director of MCCAN. "Our state unfortunately ranks at the top in terms of cancer incidence and mortality, but by working together with hospitals across the state, we have the potential to make a serious impact on cancer prevention and care."

Board-certified physicians Dr. Stephen Anderson, internal medicine and medical oncology/hematology, and Dr. Wagih Shehata, radiation oncology, provide medical directorship over MRMC’s medical oncology and radiation oncology programs.

For more information about cancer treatment services, patients may call 606.759.4442 or visit MeadowviewRegional.com.

About Meadowview Regional Medical Center

Meadowview Regional Medical Center is a 100-bed, acute care, Joint Commission accredited facility located along the Ohio River in Maysville, Kentucky. Our medical staff consists of well-trained physicians covering a number of specialties, including Allergy, Anesthesia, Cardiology, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Hematology/Oncology, Hospitalist, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Otolaryngology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pulmonology, Podiatry, Radiation Therapy, Radiology, and Sleep Medicine. For more information, visit MeadowviewRegional.com.

About LifePoint Health

LifePoint Health is a leading healthcare company dedicated to Making Communities Healthier®. Through its subsidiaries, it provides quality inpatient, outpatient and post-acute services close to home. LifePoint owns and operates community hospitals, regional health systems, physician practices, outpatient centers and post-acute facilities across the country. It is the sole community healthcare provider in the majority of the communities it serves. More information about the company can be found at www.LifePointHealth.net.

About the UK Markey Cancer Center

The Markey Cancer Center was founded in 1983 and is a dedicated matrix cancer center established as an integral part of the University of Kentucky and the UK HealthCare enterprise. Markey functions as a multi-faceted, multidisciplinary complex whose mission is to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through a comprehensive program of cancer education, research, treatment and community engagement. 

In July 2013, Markey was designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to receive research funding and many other opportunities available only to the nation’s best cancer centers. Markey is the only NCI-designated center in Kentucky and one of only 71 in the country. For the past four years, Markey has also earned a top 50 national ranking for cancer care from U.S. News & World Report.

The clinical programs and services of the Markey Cancer Center are integrated with the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. Markey's cancer specialty teams work together with UK Chandler Hospital departments and divisions to provide primary patient care and support services as well as advanced specialty care with applicable clinical research studies. All diagnostic services, clinical and pathology laboratories, operating rooms, emergent and intensive care, and radiation therapy services are also provided to cancer patients through UK Chandler Hospital. Attending physicians affiliated with the Center are board certified in their respective oncologic specialties, and its research scientists are generously funded by nationally prominent funding agencies, including the National Cancer Institute.