Rural access to health care can be a challenge. Often, residents of small communities and outlying areas have farther to drive, and they must seek treatment outside of their regular health care system when it comes to specialty medical care. Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls, Minn., envisioned delivering a more convenient care system for cancer patients in their region. That vision resonated with the community.
Virtually every dollar required for the 15,000-square-foot Cancer and Research Center was raised through pledged donatio
ns. To allow immediate construction of the facility while donors paid toward their pledges, MMCDC provided a low-cost $10.45 million loan.
As a result, the facility opened Sept. 19, 2009, creating 17 jobs and attracting physicians with links to the region’s top cancer and medical treatment facilities. It features a radiation therapy suite, patient and family resource library, an appearance center and a chemotherapy infusion suite, plus patient and family access to nutritional, psychosocial, pastoral and financial counseling. Building design elements, such as a healing garden and skylights, create a warm and soothing atmosphere for patients and families.
