Father Rogers Byambaasa, AJ, chaplain at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, blesses the building site for the new TrueBeam Linear Accelerator at the OSF Cancer Center during groundbreaking ceremonies March 4. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

BLOOMINGTON — Cancer treatment options continue to expand on the campus of OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center here. On March 4, OSF HealthCare leaders blessed and broke ground for a major technology addition to the evolving OSF Cancer Center, located on the first floor of the OSF Center for Health at 210 St. Joseph Dr.

“We want our community to know we’re not only here to provide the latest technology, we’re also here to hold their hand through the journey,” said Lynn Fulton, president of OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

“Right next to where I’m standing will be home to our new TrueBeam Linear Accelerator,” said Lynn Fulton, president of OSF St. Joseph, in remarks during the brief afternoon outdoor ceremonies. She referred to new equipment, designed by Varian Medical Systems, that when installed this summer will offer “the most accurate and comprehensive radiation therapy available in our community.”

The system combines imaging, beam delivery and sophisticated motion management to accurately and precisely target tumors with speed.

While celebrating the anticipated state-of-the-art technology, Fulton and other speakers also took note of the human and spiritual journeys involved in cancer treatment.

“Learning your loved one has cancer is devastating,” said Fulton. “We want our community to know we’re not only here to provide the latest technology, we’re also here to hold their hand through the journey,” she added. Fulton noted the presence of the pastoral care team as well as nurse navigators to accompany patients and their families through treatment to prayed-for “survivorship.”

Offering welcoming remarks was Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, OSF, a member of the OSF HealthCare Foundation Board of Directors. She asked God’s blessing and protection on those involved in the design and construction of the facility, for “consolation, peace and healing” for those who come to the center for care, and for “knowledge and wisdom” for the caregivers.

Shown at the groundbreaking ceremonies March 4 are, from left: Father Rogers Byambaasa, AJ, Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, OSF, Lynn Fulton, Chad Boore, Bob Sehring, and Lexie Schwartz. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

Similar prayers were echoed by Father Rogers Byambaasa, AJ, chaplain at OSF St. Joseph.

“The work we are beginning today should enliven our faith and make us grateful,” he said before blessing the construction site with holy water.

Joining the three speakers to turn ceremonial shovels of dirt were Bob Sehring, chief executive officer of OSF HealthCare; Chad Boore, chief executive officer of OSF HealthCare’s Eastern Region; and Lexie Schwartz, director of outpatient and ancillary services at OSF St. Joseph.

The new OSF Cancer Center opened in late 2020, linking existing treatment options and utilizing a mobile unit containing a Halycon Radiation Therapy system. Completion of the center’s home on the first floor of the new OSF Center for Health — with access to the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator — is expected by September.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Additional photos from the groundbreaking ceremonies have been posted to The Catholic Post’s site on Facebook.