Local healthcare leaders joined government officials and community members at the Emanuel Cancer Center on Tuesday to celebrate the expansion of the facility’s infusion center and the grand opening of a healing garden.
“This has been such a tremendous experience for me to be part of a hospital that's part of the community and makes such a difference. And I think when you look at the cancer center and you see the lives that we've touched, it's just it brings so much meaning to what I do every day, and that quite honestly helps me get up in the morning. So, I just truly appreciate being part of this hospital and serving this community,” said Emanuel Medical Center CEO Michael Klepin. “Today's more than a ribbon cutting; it's a celebration of hope, healing and our commitment to this community that we are so proud to serve.”
The expansion of the Emanuel Cancer Center adds 20 chairs to the infusion center, bringing the total treatment capacity from 13 to 33 and creating a more comfortable, healing environment for patients.
“This expansion will allow individuals to receive life-saving therapies without traveling long distance and leaving the support of their families and their home. But most importantly…it's about the patient experience,” said Klepin.
Also on hand to celebrate the expansion were two physicians, who according to Klepin, helped shape the future of cancer care for the Turlock community — Dr. Mohamed Eldaly and Dr. Jincy Clement.
“They have been passionate champions for cancer patients, advocates for expanding our services and trusted partners to help us build a stronger cancer program for this region. Their vision, clinical expertise, and deep connection to our community have played an important role in bringing us this moment,” said Klepin.
Eldaly told the gathered crowd that he remembers the first day he came to the Emanuel Cancer Center, 20 years ago. He said where his offices are now was dirt at that time and the other side of the facility had “two fancy multi-million-dollar machines, and there still were no patients yet.”
He said that cancer treatment has also changed a lot in the past two decades, from focusing mainly on prevention to finally having medicines that could put up a fight against cancer.
“…it's like trying to avoid a dragon from coming to your town. So that's what we did. We focused on prevention. Then the dragons came, along with the fire that's associated with having an illness like that, and we fought the dragons for years, and then medicines were discovered that made the fight different. Now we realize we can actually live with the dragons, and since so many people are overcoming their dragons and are living with them and with cancer, we need more space. We need more chairs. We need more of everything, and now we're in a situation where our capacity needs to greatly increase because of the demands,” said Eldaly.
The doctor went on to say that there is also a “ring of fire” around Valley cancer patients, which is Bay Area traffic. But thanks to Emanuel Cancer Center, patients no longer need to spend hours every day going through the ring of fire to get treatment.
“It is critical for them to have access to the services that they need in their own area, in their hometown. So here we are, and I know that there are other facilities working on expanding in our area. It's all good. We need it because cancer care does not travel well, it does not travel well, and I think that's the biggest accomplishment that we've made over the 20 years, and that is that we can provide care that's necessary for our patients here, [care] that's available anywhere in the country,” he said.
Also on Tuesday, the healthcare and community leaders celebrated the opening of a special new space, a healing garden.
“The healing garden will provide patients, families and caregivers with a place for reflection, comfort and connecting during their cancer journey,” said Klepin.
The garden, located just south of the cancer center entrance, was made possible through the generosity of the Bill & Elsie Alhem Cancer Endowment.
Jim Alhem was present at the unveiling of the garden and said his parents would have loved that they had a part in making it a reality.
“We created the foundation to help with early breast cancer diagnosis, and it has grown from there. And my mom loved Emmanuel Hospital. She donated. She spent a lot of time there volunteering. She loved her community, and she loved her garden, and she loved her roses and the magnolia tree. So, this is so appropriate as it fits in. And I want to thank you for the opportunity for us to make this come to reality. It's been quite a while in coming, but our family is proud of what we've done with this endowment and will continue to do,” he said.
Alhem also thanked the Turlock Firefighters Local 2434 for their breast cancer awareness campaign every October where they sell t-shirts and donate the proceeds to the foundation.
