Orlando Health, West Orange Healthcare District Celebrate Opening Of New Cancer Center in West Orange County

Orlando, FL. (August 24, 2018) – Orlando Health Cancer Institute – Health Central Hospital is opening its doors and bringing cutting-edge cancer treatment to the residents of West Orange County. 

The new $28 million facility, funded primarily by a $21 million grant from the West Orange Healthcare District (the District), will offer expanded chemotherapy and radiation treatment areas, medical oncology services, surgical oncology consultations, laboratory facilities, and Integrative Medicine program. At 30,000 square feet, it almost doubles the size of the existing facility located near the Orlando Health Health Central Hospital campus.

Orlando Health Cancer Institute – Health Central Hospital will be the first cancer treatment facility in Central Florida to offer a new cancer-fighting technology called MRIdian®. With this advanced technology, oncologists can view and track tumors during radiation treatments, allowing physicians to make immediate changes to treatment. The new technology uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) rather than computed tomography (CT) scans, reducing patient exposure to the damaging effects of radiation.

“This new facility is greatly needed and there’s no better place for it than right here on this campus, in this community, where families in West Orange County live, work, and play,” said Mark Roh, M.D., president of Orlando Health Cancer Institute. “In fact, evidence proves that patients battling cancer have better results when they are treated closer to home.”

The Cancer Center is part of a $100-million expansion currently underway to bring much-needed healthcare services to West Orange County. It includes $75 million in funding from the District for the Cancer Center ($21 million), a 100-bed skilled nursing facility currently under construction on the Health Central Hospital campus ($24.5 million), and a new freestanding emergency department and medical pavilion scheduled to open soon in the rapidly-growing Horizon West community ($29.7 million). 

“These three projects are all part of our original vision,” said West Orange Healthcare District Board Chair Norma Sutton. “They help us boost access to healthcare, deliver the latest medical technologies and attract top-notch physicians to our community. We’re excited to be able to expedite these new facilities with our funding support."

Mark Marsh, president of Health Central Hospital, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony welcoming the community to the new Cancer Center, saying “Orlando Health is extremely pleased and thankful for the West Orange Healthcare District’s support and collaboration. Together, we’re ensuring that West Orange County residents will be able to access more world-class healthcare services in their communities, close to home.” 

He was joined by leadership from both Orlando Health and West Orange Healthcare District as hundreds of Orlando Health team members, doctors, and residents helped celebrate and welcome the new facility into their neighborhood. Orlando Health Cancer Institute – Health Central Hospital is located at 9900 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, Florida 34761.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a $2.8 billion not-for-profit health care organization and a community-based network of physician practices, hospitals, and outpatient care centers throughout Central Florida. The organization is home to the area’s only Level One Trauma Centers for adults and pediatrics and is a statutory teaching hospital system that offers both specialty and community hospitals. More than 2,000 physicians have privileges at Orlando Health, which is also one of the area’s largest employers with more than 18,000 employees who serve nearly 2 million Central Florida residents and more than 4,500 international patients annually.  Additionally, Orlando Health provides more than $204 million in support of community health needs.  More information can be found at www.orlandohealth.com.

About the West Orange Healthcare District

The West Orange Healthcare District (WOHD) is an independent special healthcare district created in 1949 by the Florida Legislature and governed by a 16-member board appointed by the Governor of Florida. Since 2012, the District has awarded more than $135 million in local community grants to enhance residents’ health and wellness, with the goal of making west Orange County the healthiest community in the nation. For more, visit www.wohd1949.org.

The District is a proud founding champion of “Healthy West Orange,” a grassroots movement to inspire west Orange County to become the healthiest community in the nation. For more, visit healthywestorange.org.