University of Chicago Medicine plans to build a $633 million cancer center in the South Side’s Hyde Park neighbourhood.
“The additional 128 beds will be dedicated to patients with cancer, according to health officials, allowing UChicago Medicine to open other beds for patients with complex or acute care needs in areas such as organ transplants, digestive diseases, cardiology, orthopedics and trauma care,” public broadcaster WTTW-TV reported on Feb. 7.
As it stands, UChicago Medicine says 67% of cancer patients in need of inpatient care have to leave the South Side, while about 56% of patients on the South Side leave the area to get general health care.
“The need for cancer care within our community is very strong,” said Dr. Kunle Odunsi director of the UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. “This is because our community … has faced many health inequities in the past. This center is going to provide complex care for South Side residents and beyond who don’t have access ordinarily.”
Pending regulatory approval, construction of the new structure will begin in 2023 and open to patients in 2026.
UChicago Medicine is launching a community engagement effort with a virtual public meeting, which has been set by the review board for Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 10 a.m, the broadcaster reported.
