The Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma in Altus, Lawton and Duncan celebrate the grand opening of the Altus center on the Jackson County Memorial Hospital Campus at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 16. The center is located at 1200 East Broadway.

The 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art center provides comprehensive cancer treatment for both radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The Elekta© linear accelerator is the latest in radiation therapy. It uses intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and image guided radiation therapy (IMRT) for precision and accuracy in targeting the treatment area. IMRT is a highly advanced radiation therapy that spares more of the surrounding healthy tissues.

The Elekta linear accelerator will be used in the Altus and Duncan centers and in the new Lawton center soon to be built on the Comanche County Memorial Hospital campus.

“Providing the very latest in cancer treatment to the residents in Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas is one of the most needed healthcare services that has been unavailable until now,” stated William G. Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Jackson County Memorial Hospital and Chairman of the nine-member board of directors of the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma. “With the opening of the Cancer Center at JCMH, the convenience and availability of cancer treatment will greatly enhance the overall care and health of our Oklahoma and Texas communities.”

The cancer center on the Duncan Regional Hospital campus will celebrate its grand opening Oct. 21. The cancer center in Lawton is currently providing radiation services at the Tomlinson Clinic on the Comanche County Memorial Hospital campus and chemotherapy services at the Cleo Craig Memorial Cancer Center on Lee Boulevard.

The new cancer center under construction on the Comanche County Memorial Hospital campus is to be completed in 2009.

The cancer center on the JCMH campus has a staff of six including two registered radiation therapists, two registered nurses and two administrative assistants. The medical staff consists of Dr. Nadim Nimeh, Dr. Manal Robin, Dr. Winona Mackey, Dr. James Ziegler and Linda Pea, Physician’s Assistant. All are specially trained in the care and treatment of cancer patients. The medical staff coordinates the care of patients at the three cancer centers.

“Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating the opening of the new cancer center,” stated Wilson. “This is a major event for so many people in Southwest Oklahoma.”

To learn more about the Cancer Centers of Southwest Oklahoma or to make a donation, call the JCMH campus location at 580-480-4400. The cancer center is located at 1200 E. Broadway.