STAPLES — Lakewood Health System in Staples has announced plans to move forward with construction of the Lakewood Cancer Center. Construction of the center will begin this spring and is expected to be completed in summer 2025.
Since 2022, Lakewood's oncology team and services have grown exponentially. Dr. Wade Swenson will join the Lakewood team in September 2022, and nurses Alyssa Manning, Mariah Nieman, and Jessica Nybacken will join in December 2022, March 2023, and November 2023, respectively. Joined the.
Dr. Emily Westergaard is expected to join the team in September 2024, with Dr. Aquino Williams expected to follow in September 2025.
As a provider's coverage expands, additional space is required. The Cancer Center is being built to meet this growing need, allowing Lakewood Health System to add new services not previously available to patients in the region.
The 19,270-square-foot addition will be located off the southwest corner of Staples Clinic in Lakewood and will include a dedicated reception and waiting area.
The center includes 14 infusion bays, 10 medical oncology labs and two radiation oncology labs, procedure rooms, in-hospital PET/CT, and a linear accelerator used for radiation therapy. Oncology case managers will be located within the new space for easy access to patients.
Dr. Christine Albrecht, Lakewood's chief medical officer, said in a news release: “Our oncology patients have contact with nearly every department in the facility, often starting with primary care and extending to lab, radiology, palliative care, and infusions. “Many of patients are treated in emergency departments or hospitals. By creating designated spaces for patients to receive the care they need and deserve, we are giving them access to more personalized care. We are pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to experience our approach.”
“The opening of Lakewood Health System's new cancer center marks an important advancement in local healthcare,” Lakewood oncologist Dr. Wade Swenson said in the release. “This facility is more than just a building. It represents our continued commitment to providing top-notch cancer care close to home. We are committed to providing cutting-edge medical care to make a real difference in lives.”
