In an effort to serve an increased volume of patients seeking cancer care, Blanchard Valley Health System has completed $9.3 million in renovations to The Armes Family Cancer Care Center and doubled staff. The upgrades include cutting-edge technology, improved workflows for patients and staff, and a more tranquil, comfortable environment.
Amy Mills, director of oncology services for Blanchard Valley Health System.
“We knew around the 2020, 2021 time period that the building would need to be renovated and began planning,” said Amy Mills, director of oncology services for BVHS. “Then in 2022, we saw our volumes leap, so that was when we had to pivot, and we realized this was going to be a bigger project – not just a renovation but expanding the use of our space. We knew that we needed to do it fairly quickly to accommodate the volumes and provide a good experience for our patients, so we made those changes within the existing footprint of the building.”
The AFCCC project is part of about $43 million in advancements BVHS recently completed for the community, which included a 12-bed Acute Rehab Unit located inside Blanchard Valley Hospital, and Wellness Park, a $33 million group of facilities located at 3401 and 3411 Wellness Way (formerly Technology Drive) just off I-75. BVHS will hold a Community Open House at Wellness Park on May 8 from 7 to 8pm. Those interested can take a guided tour to learn about the facilities and enjoy a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.
To date, BVHS’s Capital Campaign Fundraising Plan through the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation (BVHF) has raised about $13.2 million to offset the cost of the projects and plan for the future.
Eric Brown, development officer for the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation.
“We are extremely grateful to the community for their support for these important projects,” said Eric Brown, development officer for the BVHF. Brown said most of the larger donors have to be convinced for their name to be recognized, they just want to give back and support our community. “Many of our associates have also given to (the AFCCC) project from their paychecks. I think all of us have experienced cancer in some way, shape or form – it’s something that means a lot to all of us.”
Convenient World-Class Care
The AFCCC upgrades include a renovation of the patient check-in area and front lobby, including a tech bar where visitors can plug in devices and work; nine new exam rooms, bringing the total to 17; eight new infusion chairs for a total of 26, which includes two “quick chairs” and a communal infusion area if patients prefer; an expanded pharmacy, expanded lab, improved nurse workstation, upgraded medical equipment, new infusion pumps, a new CT simulator, and an advanced linear accelerator.
The CT simulator and advanced linear accelerator, Mills said, are significant pieces of equipment used to plan for radiation treatment and deliver the treatment, respectively.
“These machines operate down to the millimeter – this is an entire room,” Brown said. “When we take donors through that is the thing they really find shocking. And this is a really big hurdle from an investment standpoint.”
The new state-of-the-art linear accelerator at The Armes Family Cancer Care Center. This advanced machine delivers precise radiation therapy to cancerous tissues. There are two at The AFCCC.
This new world-class CT Simulator assists care providers to plan treatment for cancer patients.
At the AFCCC, area residents can receive world-class care for all types of cancer without having to travel. In the event that local care providers run into one of those rare cases or the patient would like a second opinion, BVHS is part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and can easily seek additional expertise.
Amy Leach, director of corporate PR and marketing for BVHS.
“Usually with cancer care, unless it’s a very, very unique type of cancer there is generally a standard protocol for how you treat different cancers,” said Amy Leach, director of corporate PR and marketing for BVHS. “Many people don’t realize that the majority of cancers can be treated right here with the state-of-the-art equipment that we have here in their own backyard. It is excellent to have that peace of mind from the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes you do want that second opinion, and we have access to that without (the patient) ever having to travel, which is such a big deal.”
The AFCCC is accredited by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) Accreditation Program, dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting and raising standards. CoC standards supply the structure for providing patients with a full range of diagnostic, treatment, and supportive services. Cancer programs granted accreditation by the CoC provide high-quality cancer care, comply with CoC standards, and undergo a rigorous evaluation every three years.
Chris Keller, executive director of Findlay Hancock County Economic Development
“It is exceptional to have a world-class facility like this in what would be considered a rural health system, enabling community members to receive the care they need without having to travel,” said Chris Keller, executive director of Findlay Hancock County Economic Development. “We applaud Blanchard Valley Health System for strengthening our community and keeping our family, friends and neighbors healthy.”
In addition to its elite clinical capabilities, the AFCCC provides patients with helpful psychosocial support as they navigate a cancer diagnosis and the journey through treatment. Adele Simon, clinical office manager for the AFCCC, said nurse navigators, financial navigators, clinical researchers, genetic counselors, and a dietitian are available to assist patients. BVHS can now also provide breast reconstruction surgery at Bluffton Hospital, yet another expansion of service to meet the community’s needs. About 100 people work at the AFCCC providing care.
Increased Efficiency and Healing Environment to Better-Serve the Patient
Great consideration was taken to redesign the workflow and aesthetic at the AFCCC. Certain types of care were moved closer to the front of the building for easier access, and others to the back of the building for a quieter atmosphere. The flow of the check-in area and lobby was made more efficient and easier to understand. Warmer, natural colors and natural light were added throughout for a more serene, healing environment, and twinkling lights were installed above the linear accelerator.
“We hear a lot that our patients feel like we are all a family,” Mills said. “We wanted to make it feel like home, having that comforting, healing atmosphere. I think that adds to that feeling of the patient that this is more than walking into a medical facility, that ‘They are really here for me and my family.’”
Knowing how many people were counting on them, it was important to staff at the AFCCC to complete the renovation process without compromising care. “We never closed for one hour,” Mills said.
As the project progressed, staff worked in areas they weren’t accustomed to, and sometimes entrances or exits were closed. They had to be flexible, and everyone worked together.
“This project, in the whole scheme of Blanchard Valley Health System and the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation, and the amount of collaboration between different areas and associates was amazing,” Simon said. “I am proud to be working among them. They were resilient. They were professional. They were skilled throughout this entire process. They powered through and always had a smile for patients. The patients are our families, our neighbors, our friends, someone we know from church. They were rooting for us through this entire process.
“This was truly meaningful for me – it was amazing to see it all come together.”
The renovations were completed by Tuttle Construction, Lima; Laib Electric, Perrysburg; PMBA Architects, Perrysburg; and Dunbar Mechanical, Toledo. BVHS will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and donor recognition event at The Armes Family Cancer Care Center on June 11.
One of nine new exam rooms at The AFCCC.
A new community infusion area was created for patients who would like the company of others while receiving treatment at The AFCCC.
The new and improved check-in area at The AFCCC.
As part of renovations at The AFCCC, a tech bar was installed in the lobby to accommodate guests who would like to plug in devices or keep up with work schedules.
