Major changes are coming to New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s cancer treatment facility.
 
Monteith Construction is working on the $14.5 million expansion and renovation of the hospital's Zimmer Cancer Center, according to a news release Tuesday. The project was designed by architecture and planning firm LS3P.  
 
Aimed at expanding services the center offers, the work is scheduled to be finished in fall 2017, the release said. The hospital started the planning and designs for the project last year. When it is complete, Cape Fear Cancer Specialists-NHRMC Physician Group will move its Wilmington practice, currently at 1520 Physicians Drive, into the cancer center while maintaining a Leland office.
 
“Our patients told us what is important to them, and we have designed the new NHRMC Zimmer Cancer Center with their needs in mind,” said Henry Hawthorne, administrator of oncology services for NHRMC, in the release. “We’re creating an environment that is supportive and healing and brings together a larger team of experts to deliver the best care possible.”
 
The release said the new NHRMC Zimmer Cancer Center design includes:

• patient care areas and onsite offices for the physicians and staff of Cape Fear Cancer Specialists - NHRMC Physician Group;
• space for gynecologic oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology and multi-disciplinary programs, such as the NHRMC Lung Program;
• expanded capacity of infusion stations from 15 to 48, tailored to suit patients’ preferences for privacy or socialization;
• access to diagnostics, outpatient infusion, clinical trials, treatment options, community resources and support groups;
• and an Information and Inspiration Center to offer patients educational resources and inspiration to help support a sense of belonging and community. The Inspiration Center staff will help guide patients through support services at NHRMC and assist with connecting patients with community partners. 

The project doubles the cancer center's space and triples the infusion suite space, said hospital spokeswoman Claire Parker.

During construction, patients are being directed to a new entrance, registration area and lobby to the left of the NHRMC Zimmer Cancer Center’s previous main entrance. All services will remain fully operational, the release said.

The center, which opened in 2000, was named after Reeds Jewelers founders William and Roberta Zimmer.