WORTHINGTON -- The much-needed rainfall Tuesday did not stall the groundbreaking for a radiation oncology center at Worthington Regional Hospital (WRH).
In fact, WRH Board of Directors Chairman Gary Hoffman passed up using the traditional shovel to break ground. Instead, he took his place in a backhoe and used the machine to dig up the first dirt at the construction site while a crowd of people watched from under the hospital's canopy.
"Work will be being done already this afternoon," WRH Chief Executive Officer Mel Platt said at Tuesday's ceremony. "This is truly an exciting day for Worthington Regional Hospital and a special day for southwest Minnesota."
For nearly two years, WRH has discussed the concept of a radiation oncology center. The more than $5.1 million project -- $3.1 million for the building and $2 million for equipment -- is expected to be completed in April 2007.
The facility will offer cancer patients the chance to get radiation treatments locally. Platt said research shows there will be 1,060 new cancer cases annually in the southwest Minnesota area.
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"Fifty percent of those people will require radiation therapy," Platt said.
Currently, cancer patients who need radiation must travel 120 miles round-trip or more, sometimes daily, for up to 45 days.
Hoffman praised the "power of partnerships" during the ground-breaking event.
"This is a partnership of the entire region," Platt added.
WRH owns 52 percent of the center, and a limited liability corporation will be formed. Other hospitals involved in the project are Jackson, Slayton, Tracy, Windom and Westbrook.
"This is a long time coming," Worthington Mayor Alan Oberloh said. "I think a lot of this has to do with the people who work in the facility -- the employees."
The 8,400-square-foot cancer treatment facility will be connected to the current hospital building. The center will employ eight to 10 new people.
The WRH Health Care Foundation has earmarked about $700,000 for the project, and donations are still being sought from the community.
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"We want to thank everybody for their help," Platt said.
