We’re glad you asked!

Do the physicians’ clinics support the Cancer Center?

Yes.

We are very fortunate and proud to have the support of our physicians. Many leadership positions within the capital campaign are being filled by our medical staff physicians. Dr. Jack Uhrig and Dr. Bedford Knipschild are serving as co-chairpersons of the capital campaign and Dr. Tom Papreck is chairman of the steering committee.

Is the Fitzgibbon Hospital a Non-for-Profit organization?

Yes.

Fitzgibbon Hospital is a Not-for-Profit 501(c)3 organization. Any donations to Fitzgibbon hospital is tax deductible. Some people may be unaware of this since Fitzgibbon Hospital has not asked for financial support from the community since the early 1950s, when the original hospital facility saw major renovation and expansion. The community has been fortunate to have a hospital that has been able to make great improvements in the health care services provided with in and through its modern, state-of-the-art facility. For communities the size of ours. very few community hospitals compare to Fitzgibbon’s scope of services, the level of technology found in our imaging services department, and the quality of care and professionalism shown by our nursing and medical staff.

We currently have two major fund drives going on in Marshall. How do I know which one to support?

They are both good causes. They will both enhance Saline County and the Marshall community for future generations and will immediately benefit and make an impact on our current generation. We have an opportunity to support these two projects which will each give back to those who come after us.

How was it determined to build the Cancer Center at this time?

Development of a local cancer treatment program has been discussed off and on for the past several years, which many community members asking Fitzgibbon Hospital if it was possible to provide treatment locally. With the growth of our facility and services over the past 15 years, and with the addition of more physicians and specialists to our staff, the hospital began to research the feasibility of providing cancer services as well.

In October 2005, the radiation oncologists from Missouri Cancer Associates of Columbia, Missouri, agreed to provide professional services and pledged their support of the project. The Board of Trustees of Fitzgibbon Hospital then authorized a feasibility study, which was conducted in December. In February of 2006, a report was presented to the Board of Trustees recommending that there was support in the community for a capital campaign to be established to develop funding for a cancer program at Fitzgibbon Hospital.

Why not include the Cancer Center in the recently announced renovation project?

The announced renovation and the Cancer Center are two separate projects.

• The renovation and expansion project is being done to continue to provide current hospital services and to meet immediate needs. The expansion will focus on Ambulatory Surgery, Radiology, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Respiratory Care, educational space, physician clinic space and women’s imaging services, which will include state-of–the-art ultrasound and mammography.
• The project is being financed through tax-exempt revenue bonds. Revenues from services provided to Fitzgibbon Hospital will be used to repay the cost of the bonds.
• The cancer program is a new service the hospital would like to provide, as requested by the community. However, due to reduced reimbursement for chemotherapy drugs, we would be unable to provide the care while servicing a $4 million plus debt load. Therefore, Fitzgibbon Hospital is requesting community support in providing funds to build the facility and provide the linear accelerator, thereby enabling the hospital to provide cancer services on a long-term basis.

Why is a Cancer Center necessary?

A large number of community members have indicated their desire to have a cancer treatment center here in the community. Most people have a family member, loved one, friend or acquaintance that has been affected by cancer. Trips to and from cancer treatment centers in Columbia, Sedalia or Kansas City take their toll on patients’ friends and families as well as the patients themselves.

Ann Stapleton, a member of the Fitzgibbon Hospital Auxiliary and a cancer patient from Marshall, said the road can be a terrible place for someone suffering from cancer.

“You’re already feeling lousy because of the cancer,” she said. “And then you have to be on the road for over an hour one way to get to your treatment. Someone has to spend all day driving you there and waiting on you, and then you’re sick as can be on the drive home. Add to that all of the traffic on the highway, and it just makes for a terrible day.”

Jack Uhrig, M.D., an internist on the medical staff at Fitzgibbon Hospital, sees the Cancer Center as an opportunity for expanded care for a wide variety of patients. “There are things that we can do and that our community needs, and cancer treatment is certainly one of them. The incidence of cancer is high in Saline County and this is something we can and should do.”

Are local physicians in support of the Cancer Center?

The medical staff at Fitzgibbon Hospital has strongly endorsed the pursuit and development of the cancer program.

In the early stages of discussion with Missouri Cancer Associates the majority of our medical staff met the physicians of MCA. During these discussions, the medical staff voiced their support and also provided a letter of support for Fitzgibbon Hospital requesting MCA to work with Fitzgibbon Hospital to develop a cancer program in Marshall, Missouri.

What will the Cancer Center do?

Through our partnership with Missouri Cancer Associates, we plan to provide cancer treatment for patients who require chemotherapy and radiation treatments. These services will be provided in a new state-of-the-art facility and will help to eliminate the need for patients to travel long distances to receive cancer treatment.

In addition, it will reduce the stress and inconvenience of family members and friends cancer patients rely on for transportation to and from their treatment.

Why can’t Fitzgibbon Hospital use existing space for the Cancer Center?

We will be using existing space, but it needs to be redesigned.

Fitzgibbon Hospital does not have space available that would meet the requirements. The linear accelerator used for radiation treatments will be housed in a specially designed vault which requires very thick walls made of high density concrete material. The area also would need to be custom designed and built to coincide with the type and location of the equipment used.

In addition, the optimal space for the Cancer Center would be close to existing outpatient services such as Radiology. Any space we have available now is not in close proximity to current outpatient services.

Who would operate the Cancer Center?

Fitzgibbon Hospital has a commitment from Missouri Cancer Associates (MCA) Radiation Oncologists to provide the professional services for radiation treatments.

The medical oncologists have also indicated an interest in providing services. We are currently working with MCA, which have indicated they have added additional physicians to their group and desire to have ongoing updates on our progress in developing the program. We believe that the medical oncologists will also provide services for our program. It is our intent to have their commitment before construction begins.

Have physicians given input to the planning?

Yes.

The medical staff believes services provided through a Cancer Center are important and that we have the ability to provide these services. The specialists at Missouri Cancer Associates are providing input on the design and equipment for the project. Our goal is to provide a state-of-the-art facility with the personal care provided by professionals in our community.

If Boone Hospital is behind it, why don’t they pay for it?

The Cancer Center is a Saline County project for the benefit of our local citizens.

It is not a Boone Hospital Center (BHC) project. While Fitzgibbon Hospital has an excellent relationship with BHC, we provide care on a local basis and decisions for Fitzgibbon Hospital are made by our local Board of Trustees. It is true that BHC supports this project and believes that healthcare for Saline County and the surrounding area will be improved by providing these services.

Fitzgibbon Hospital is a 501c3 not-for-profit community hospital owned by the community and governed by a Board of trustees made up of community leaders.