DANVILLE — Provena United Samaritans Medical Center has commenced construction on a new Women’s Health Center within the existing hospital.

The new center is just one component of a plan for a $2.7 million project announced last September. The project, which is set for completion by the year’s end, includes the renovation of existing space for the center, improvements in diagnostic imaging areas, upgraded waiting areas and a new cardiovascular lab. Also, a 64-slice CT scanner will replace the current 4-slice unit.

“It’s very exciting to be able to enhance our diagnostic services and to proceed with our vision of providing complete breast health care for the women in our community,” said Mike Brown, president and CEO of Provena United Samaritans.

“We absolutely wouldn’t be able to accomplish this goal without the support of this community and the many generous donors who pledged financial support through our foundation,” Brown said.

More than $520,000 for the Women’s Health Center was raised through the efforts of the Provena United Samaritans Medical Center Foundation. The remainder of the costs will come from capital funding with the support of Provena Health.

Provena United Samaritans starting planning for the new center three years ago. At that time, the medical center began to acquire new technologies to enable improved breast cancer detection, such as digital mammography and a minimally invasive breast biopsy system with multiple imaging methods including stereotactic, ultrasound and MRI. A second biopsy system was added in February this year.

The Women’s Health Center will be located on the ground floor of the medical center, with a child-friendly area for patients who need to bring their children with them.

The project is to be accomplished in phases, allowing diagnostic imaging services to continue serving patients throughout construction.