Friday, May 16, 2008

Cancer Institute of Dallas opens doors to public

By Stephanie Parker

DUNCANVILLE — Principal physician Dr. Maria Juarez is living her dream through the Cancer Institute of Dallas, the first community-based, non-hospital cancer research and treatment center south of the Trinity River. Located on highway 67 in Duncanville, there are few hospitals and no free-standing cancer treatment options in close proximity. Community, comfort and modern technology are part of what makes this facility different from larger treatment centers.

“We are located close to our patient’s support system,” says Dr. Juarez. Patients of the Cancer Institute don’t have to travel far and leave their families in order to receive treatment. For comparison purposes, Dr. Juarez mentioned three free-standing facilities in one area of North Dallas just off the top of her head.

Medical centers typically evoke a sense of fear and dread in patients because of their cold, bare walls, strange smells and unfamiliar faces. But at the Cancer Institute, the design choices were clearly meant to be both elegant and soothing. Walls are equipped with thoughtful décor and hardwood floors and modern tile are throughout the building.

Dr. Juarez made many of the design choices for the Cancer Institute with the intention to create an environment nothing like a medical center. Even from the outside, the building looks no larger than a dentist’s office. In reality, the 14,000 square foot facility is deceptively small so patients are not overwhelmed with a huge building.

In addition to non-traditional aesthetics, the Cancer Institute also features modern equipment that is not yet common to other cancer treatment centers. Of particular interest is their CT scan machine. The typical CT requires patients to enter an enclosed tube; the Cancer Institutes's machine has no enclosures. Their radiology equipment is also state-of-the-art, but I don't have the full understanding to articulate it correctly.

The Cancer Institute also conducts clinical trials. At the moment they have 20 taking place in order to improve their methods of treatment and thus the patient experience. Even though it has only been open a few weeks, the Cancer Institute constantly strives to provide the best experience for its patients and their families.

“At the Cancer Institute, you aren’t just a patient number,” says Dr. Juarez. “Even when you call us, the person on the other line knows who you are and has probably treated you at some point.”

The community has responded so positively to the Cancer Institute that they already need to build more cases for patient records. Currently home to five principal physicians, Dr. Juarez mentions that they hope to add two more to accommodate the growing number of patients.

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