Residents in the Columbus, Nebraska area will soon have access to comprehensive cancer care in one convenient location, as Columbus Community Hospital has announced plans for a cancer center on land directly west of the hospital’s emergency room.

The TSP + Kahler Slater team is designing the 25,000-square-foot cancer center, which will include infusion services and space for two medical practices — Columbus Cancer Care and Hematology & Oncology Consultants.

“This new cancer center will help us provide our patients with seamless service,” said Keith Luedders, vice president for ancillary services at Columbus Community Hospital. “It will also allow us to offer the latest advanced technology to people who are fighting cancer.”

Those improvements include:

Varian TrueBeam therapy – a precise and powerful cancer treatment that combines the technology of radiotherapy and radiosurgery. This linear accelerator externally delivers a prescribed radiation dose from nearly any angle. It combines imaging and beam delivery with technology that rotates around patients to accurately and precisely target tumors with great speed.

Expanded PET/CT services – A PET (positron emission tomography) scan uses a radioactive drug to detect diseases before they show up on other imaging tests. A PET scan is an effective way to help discover a variety of health conditions, including cancer. CCH currently provides PET/CT services, but it is on a mobile truck that only comes to Columbus once per week.

More Infusion services – infusion services are currently on the second floor of the hospital in a cramped location that does not adequately allow for patient privacy. The new building will include private rooms for hospital infusion patients. Infusion services will also occupy a bigger space to meet community needs.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2025.