Courtesy of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
William Hyslop, President and CEO of MD Anderson Physicians Network, talks to the invited guests at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Gibbs Cancer Center at Pelham. Dr. William Murphy, board chairman of MD Anderson Physicians Network, is to the side.
Courtesy of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
Jimmy and Marsha Gibbs introduced the Gibbs Cancer Center at Pelham at the Village at Pelham this morning. Jimmy Gibbs said,“Our focus is not to find a cure for cancer but to prevent cancer."
Courtesy of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
Dr. Julian Josey and Dr. James Bearden were among the pioneers in cancer treatment in Spartanburg and the Upstate. Their practice will be part of the Gibbs Cancer Center at Pelham.
Courtesy of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
The ceremonial shoveling of the dirt was moved indoors when thunderstorms hit the area this morning. That didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the parties in making the announcement of the Gibbs Cancer Center at Pelham.
The Gibbs Cancer Center at Pelham celebrated a groundbreaking, forced indoors by rain, for a $7 million, 10,000-square foot facility offering radiation and medical oncology in one location. The Cancer Center will employ 15-20 associates when it opens in spring 2013.
“Our focus is not to find a cure for cancer but to prevent cancer,” said Jimmy Gibbs. Marsha and Jimmy Gibbs, the benefactors for the Gibbs Cancer Center in Spartanburg, were among the blue ribbon guests on hand for the ceremonies. The Gibbs became a partner with Spartanburg Regional Hospital in developing the state-of-the-art facilities. The Pelham campus will be the third Gibbs Cancer Center. Cherokee County recently opened a facility.
The Pelham campus is a product the Gibbs, Dr. James Bearden and Dr. Julian Josey have planned. “It was the vision of the two doctors. They asked Martha and me to be part of it,” Gibbs said. The Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health is named for the Gibbs Center founding doctors. That will be part of the Cancer Center at Pelham.
“Thirty years ago these men came together. They asked us to come along and write a chapter in a book that is still in progress,” Jimmy Gibbs said. "Another chapter is the Bearden Breast Center, the association with MD Anderson Physicians Network. Today this is another chapter in that book.”
Dr. William Murphy, Chairman of the Board for MD Anderson Physicians, said, “There is no other relationship in our portfolio stronger than the Gibbs Cancer Center. We want to make sure the best cancer care is delivered here.”
The Gibbs Cancer Center opened in 1999. The Pelham campus brings together oncology services of the Gibbs Center and the Palmetto Hematology Oncology that has served the Greer community since 2006.
Greer Mayor Rick Danner said, “When we think of cancer care and cancer treatment we think of the Spartanburg Cancer Center. They are special. They have the compassion, care, understanding and dignity in cancer care. The mission with the background of Greer is perfect with the Cancer Center. It goes hand in hand.”
Danner related a story when his son was injured in a hit and run accident as a youth and the outpouring of care and support from the Greer community was overwhelming. He said that led him to public service. “I was thinking what to say coming here this morning,” Danner said. “Greer cares that you are here and Greer will embrace this Center.”
“This has been part of the master plan for the Gibbs Center for a number of years,” David Church, vice president Oncology and Home Care, said. “Eighty percent of cancer care is done in local communities. This is part of our regional vision.”
Ed Driggers, Greer City Admistrator, has been part of the business, residential and industry growth during his 12 years of service. "Being able to add this component at this facility brings an entirely new dimension. MD Anderson and Gibbs is limitless," Driggers said.
The Cancer Center at Pelham will be associated with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Cancer Center and the MD Anderson Cancer Center Physicians Network. The Gibbs Center is one of 10 original sites for the NCI and the only one in associated with it in the Carolinas.