News Release: OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Expands Cancer Care Services
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Effective today, OhioHealth Grant Medical Center offers a new, consolidated cancer services space within the William W. Wilkins Professional Building, located across the street from the emergency department. The expansion is a co-location of services that were previously housed in the 393 E. Town and 340 E. Town Medical Office Buildings, as well as the OhioHealth Bone and Joint Center at Grant.
“The vision was to build a convenient, patient-centric destination to house Grant’s comprehensive cancer care services,” said Stacey Armstrong, president, Grant Medical Center. “This will improve our patient care and how we deliver quality care at Grant, while also benefiting the work of our outstanding associates and physicians.”
The expansion allows for the majority of cancer care services on the Grant campus to be located in the same building. Services include:
- Infusion (12 semi-private and two private bays)
- Pharmacy
- Medical Oncology and Hematology
- Lab
- PET CT
- Genetics Counseling
- Nutrition
- Social Work
- Survivorship Clinic
- Outpatient Palliative Care
- Breast Reconstruction Surgery
- Navigation for Cancer Patients
Radiation oncology remains in the lower level of Grant’s main hospital building.
The space features ample natural light and a clean, light-colored design concept, similar to other OhioHealth Cancer Care locations throughout the system. In addition to the clinical services offered, there is a boutique and resources in the Peggy L. Wood Resource Center where free services such as bra and wig fittings are available. Complimentary valet parking is available for patients and their families.
“I am thrilled that cancer patients at Grant will be able to receive treatment in a space designed with patients in mind,” said Mark Cripe, DO, a breast and melanoma surgeon at Grant. “Having the majority of services housed under one roof provides a convenience for them and one less thing to think about when they arrive here for treatment.”
Clinical services that were located in the Wilkins Professional Building prior to the cancer expansion remain. These include:
- Breast Surgery
- Colorectal Surgery
- General Surgery
- Heart & Vascular
- Imaging
- Lab
- Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Thoracic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Wound Care
- Hemodialysis
- Nephrology
- Newborn Medicine
Since September 2014, Grant has been a certified member of MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a program of MD Anderson Cancer Center, a world-renowned leader in cancer care.
Construction
Phase I of the $8.7 million expansion began in April 2018 when offices and departments within the Wilkins Professional Building were moved to other locations throughout the Grant campus. This included the medical library, the quality and patient safety department, the resident’s quarters and medical education offices. Phase II of the construction began in September 2018. The architect was M+A. Corna Kokosing was the general contractor and Hammes Company was the project manager. Approximately 33,680 square feet is now dedicated to cancer care in the Wilkins Professional Building.
New Physicians
The expansion also brings new physicians to OhioHealth Physician Group (OPG). Alfred Vargas, MD, medical oncology and hematology, joined OhioHealth in late 2018. He had been seeing patients in a time share space in the Wilkins Professional Building, until today’s opening of his permanent location.
Vijay Kudithipudi, MD, radiation oncology, joined OhioHealth in April 2019. He joined current OhioHealth radiation oncologist, Andrew Freeman, MD, in seeing radiation oncology patients at Grant.
Zulfikar Sharif, MD, thoracic surgery, joined OhioHealth in April 2019. He joined current OhioHealth thoracic surgeon, Vincent Daniel, MD, in seeing thoracic surgery patients at Grant.
Shakir Sarwar, MD, medical oncology and hematology will join OhioHealth on June 30. Dr. Sarwar will serve as medical director of Grant’s infusion clinic.
Grant Growth
The cancer care expansion is part of significant growth at Grant in recent years.
“As more and more people continue to work and live downtown, it’s important that we too grow alongside the community,” said Armstrong. “Over the last several years, OhioHealth has continued to invest in Grant’s growth, expansion and future success.”
In addition to this project, another $50.9 million has been spent on recent expansions that allow for improved patient care and access. This includes:
- Critical and Intermediate Care: A vertical expansion to create a new nursing unit, featuring 34 private patient care rooms
- Trauma: The addition of a third trauma bay and renovation of the existing two, as well as a new dual helipad, meaning three medical helicopters can be on the roof at once.
- OhioHealth Bone and Joint at Grant: The expansion of the Bone and Joint Center, which consolidates services for orthopedic patients – from surgery to rehabilitation – under one roof.
- Heart Services: The opening of 10 new, private patient rooms in the cardiac intermediate unit, as well as a new, state-of-the-art hybrid operating room that functions as both an operating room and a catheterization lab.
An additional $2.8 million was invested to turn the first floor of a hospital parking garage into a comprehensive primary care hub. The new location of OhioHealth Family Medicine Grant, which opened in October 2017, offers the full-spectrum of primary care services downtown, in addition to walk-in services, and is home to Grant’s family medicine residency program.
The renovations and expansions at the hospital coincide with the improvements and growth (residential and business) throughout the Discovery District area of downtown Columbus.
