Amid colorful bouquets of daylilies and snapdragons and high-tech machines to detect cancer, doctors and administrators at Allegheny General Hospital were expressing a collective sigh of relief Tuesday.
For most of them, the opening of the $30 million Allegheny Cancer Center marked a new chapter after the financial collapse of the hospital's former parent — the Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation.
"For many of us, this day marks a symbolic punctuation," Dr. Norman Wolmark, chairman of the department of human oncology, told dozens of employees and guests who gathered yesterday at the center's cherry-walled atrium for the opening ceremony. "It affirms the commitment of Allegheny General Hospital and the West Penn Allegheny Health System to resume their leadership roles in the forefront of treatment and research in cancer."
The North Side hospital, which became part of West Penn Allegheny in 2000, announced last October plans to refurbish a building at the corner of Hemlock and James streets for a new cancer center. West Penn Allegheny rival UPMC Health System is opening a $104 million cancer center in Shadyside this October.
Nearly three-fourths of Allegheny General's five-story cancer center is occupied by clinical areas to treat patients who are battling all types of cancer. Each area — including the hospital's famed breast care center — occupies about 20,000 square feet, for a total of 100,000 square feet.
The new center is headed by Dr. Michael J. O'Connell, a prominent oncologist recruited from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Allegheny Cancer Center is filled with some of the most advanced technology, officials said.
The center has four digital-mammography units — more than rival Magee-Womens Hospital in Oakland, which has one. Digital mammograms allow for quick reading of the film and early transfer to other sites. Because copies are produced digitally, there is no loss of clarity.
"We designed and built this entire building from the patient's perspective," said Chester Cornman, administrative director for the department of human oncology.
Among the patient-friendly amenities found at the center are a library and an appearance center in which patients can get wigs as well as hair- and skin-care tips.
Dr. Richard K. Shadduck, vice chairman of human oncology, said doctors at the center will spend a great deal of time educating patients.
"When you're told you have something like leukemia, it's not easy to digest at the first sitting," he said. "In the long run, the educational sessions are the most important sessions patients will have."
Yesterday, Esther Stowers, 92, was one of many guests touring the new facility.
Stowers, of Wheeling, W.Va., was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago and, though now recovered, travels to AGH for annual checkups.
"It's just gorgeous," she said. "What an improvement."
