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Community citizens, healthcare leaders, local politicians and officials gathered at VCU Community Memorial Hospital (VCU CMH) on August 14 for the official grand opening celebration of the Solari Radiation Therapy Center, the first and only radiation therapy center in the Southern Virginia Area. The center is a joint venture between VCU CMH and VCU Massey Cancer Center, who together provide VCU CMH’s Cancer and Specialty Care.

VCU CMH and VCU Massey officials provided remarks and shared their excitement about having state-of-the-art radiation therapy conveniently accessible to the region.

VCU CMH President and CEO Scott Burnette remarked, “This is a special day in the history of VCU CMH and another important step in advancing health care for our community. Radiation therapy is a service that has long been needed in our area.” Burnette explained that through the partnership with VCU Massey, the community will have the benefits of a nationally recognized cancer center with top-notch specialists and access to cutting edge clinical trials.

VCU Massey officials expressed their pleasure in helping to bring the first radiation therapy center to Southern Virginia. John Duval, CEO of MCV Hospitals of the VCU Medical Center, which provides Massey’s clinical oncology care, said, “VCU Massey is pleased to partner with VCU CMH on the radiation center to offer expanded treatment options to local cancer patients and provide advanced cancer care to the region.”

The ability to bring radiation treatment to Southern Virginia was made possible through a partnership between VCU CMH and VCU Massey Cancer Center, a grant from the Virginia Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, the Solari’s generous gift, and tremendous community support.

Burnette expressed appreciation to all who helped make the project possible. He remarked, “Thanks to you, our generous, supportive community, we are now realizing this vision. The Solari Radiation Therapy Center is so named to recognize the generous gift of two very special people, Sylvia and Bill Solari. When Sylvia and Bill retired to the Lake Gaston area, they embraced this community and became actively involved in many projects. They have been a blessing to this area.”

Bill Solari addressed the guests and expressed his family’s excitement at seeing the center become a reality. He said, “The addition of radiation therapy will make a difference for cancer patients in our area. Sylvia and I are so pleased that we could help advance healthcare in our community from success to significance.”

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was conducted by Frank Malone, director of the South Hill Chamber of Commerce, after which guests toured the facility.

The Solari Radiation Therapy Center is located adjacent to the Hendrick Cancer & Rehab Center where medical oncology and hematology care is provided by VCU CMH and Massey. The two medical teams – medical and radiation oncology – work together to provide VCU CMH Cancer and Specialty Care’s coordinated, multidisciplinary evaluation, treatment planning and overall cancer care.

VCU CMH Cancer and Specialty Care offers outpatient ambulatory services in medical hematology-oncology and radiation oncology for all adult cancers, including complex and rare cancers, and blood disorders. Services include advanced cancer diagnostics and treatment, such as chemotherapy; hormone therapy; immunotherapy; image-guided, intensity-modulated and stereotactic radiation therapy; clinical trials; CT and MRI imaging modalities; pharmacy; rehabilitation; genetic counseling; nutritional support; social services; pastoral care; and hospice care. For more information about VCU CMH Cancer & Specialty Care, visit www.cmh-sh.org.

Written by: Jenny Owen