Press releases

Yale-New Haven Hospital news release
Release date: November 30, 2004 (mv)
Media contact: Vin Petrini, (203) 688-2612

Yale-New Haven Hospital formally announces plans to build comprehensive clinical cancer center; Facility to open fall 2008

Yale-New Haven Hospital today announced that the hospital's Board of Trustees and the board of the Yale New Haven Health System have approved the construction of a new $430 million, 14-story, comprehensive clinical cancer center that will consolidate all clinical cancer care services into one building and make vacated space available to meet growing demand for hospital clinical services. "The reason is clear. The time is now," said Joseph A. Zaccagnino, president and chief executive officer of Yale-New Haven Hospital, in announcing the plans for the first major addition to the institution's facilities since the Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital opened more than a decade ago.

"Integrating cancer patient services with the introduction of new cancer treatments together in one building specifically designed for cancer care will provide a true center of excellence," Zaccagnino said. "For the 7,000 Connecticut residents stricken with cancer each year it will mean closer access to state-of-the-art care and innovative therapies. For our community it will mean approximately 400 new permanent positions across a wide range of job responsibilities, as well as 350 construction jobs at the peak of the 36-month project. For our physicians and staff who are absolutely committed to providing and advancing world-class cancer care, it will mean more resources, more opportunities to share discoveries and knowledge and easier access for their patients to the latest cancer treatments."

The Cancer Center will be built on hospital property at 25 Park Street, the site of a hospital office building, which is slated for demolition in spring 2005. No other buildings on or off the Yale-New Haven Hospital campus will be demolished to make way for the Cancer Center.

"This exciting facility has the potential to change the face of cancer research and to translate the essence of innovation to clinical care. That transformation could mean a difference in the lives of thousands of people in Connecticut and throughout the country," said Richard C. Levin, president of Yale University. "The facts are that one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer in their lifetimes, that 48 Connecticut residents—12 of whom live in the New Haven area—will be diagnosed with cancer every day, that nearly 2,800 Connecticut women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and that these numbers will only increase as the population ages," said Richard Edelson, MD, director of the Yale Cancer Center. "Every day's delay in building this center delays better cancer treatment—with better outcomes—for literally thousands of our neighbors. We must move ahead now."

The new Cancer Center is estimated to cost approximately $430 million, which will be funded by equity, bond financing and a major fund-raising campaign. "The hospital has the financial resources to undertake this project because it has responsibly managed its operations in a manner that has allowed it to invest in an important patient care project of this nature," said Marvin Lender, chairman of the hospital's board of trustees. "We also expect the city of New Haven will receive an additional $3-4 million annually in payments under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program because of added value of the Cancer Center."

The 14-story, nearly 500,000 square-foot building, designed by Shepley Bullfinch Richardson and Abbott, will include 112 inpatient beds, outpatient treatment rooms, expanded operating rooms, infusion suites, diagnostic imaging services and a floor each for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic radiology. A specialized Women's Cancer Center, including the Yale-New Haven Breast Center and the GYN Oncology Center, will be located on the building's first floor. The facility is expected to open in the fall of 2008 and will be the most modern and comprehensive cancer care facility in the Northeast. Site preparation for the new Cancer Center has already begun, with demolition of the office building expected in spring 2005.

"This facility will directly benefit patients as we translate the promise of basic science research into the clinical setting," said Robert Alpern, MD, dean of the Yale University School of Medicine. "The Yale Cancer Center is one of a select network of 38 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. As a result, this facility will provide a significant opportunity to better the lives of cancer patients in New Haven and throughout the country."

"This Cancer Center is one of the most important additions to Yale-New Haven's patient care capabilities in its 178-year history. Its integration with the Yale School of Medicine brings great benefits to medical education and the advancement of cancer treatment worldwide. And, it provides great economic and community support to the city of New Haven. Together, we must do everything possible to move this project ahead in a timely manner so that these great benefits come to all of our constituencies as soon as possible," Mr. Zaccagnino concluded.

Reporters: For more information on this release, contact Vin Petrini, (203) 688-2612.

See the following fact sheets for more information:

• Yale-New Haven Hospital and the
  Need for a Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Yale-New Haven Hospital and the New Haven Community

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