Asante expands Helen K. Spears Cancer Center, quadruples number of patients it can serve

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — Hospital officials, donors, and doctors in Josephine County came together to celebrate the grand opening of the expansion of Asante’s Helen K. Spears Cancer Center. This expansion will quadruple the number of cancer patients the Southern Oregon healthcare system can serve at one time in Grants Pass.

The Clinical Director for Cancer Services in Medford and Grants Pass at Asante, Wendy Vaughn, said the new facility is a game-changer for the region and will benefit cancer patients dealing with the deadly disease.

“Cancer patients already have it bad, they already have cancer and they have to navigate the intricacy of going through their healthcare, going to see their doctor, going to the lab and getting their biopsy and then having imaging," Vaugh said. "We now have it all under one space.”

Vaugh explained that prior to the expansion, the hospital only had cancer infusion services and could only see seven patients at one time. The new cancer facility will be able to serve 31 patients at a time.

She said the new location is a one-stop-shop for cancer patients and their families as they go through the process of fighting the deadly disease.

“With this facility, we can do laboratories, radiation, oncology services, we have the clinic, we have a pharmacy,” Vaughn said. “The whole idea of having this Spears Cancer Center is for a cancer patient not to have sometimes up to 14 appointments in different locations.”

The new 35,000 square feet cancer center began construction in September 2020 and was funded by several donors, including the Spears Family and Evergreen Federal Bank.

Vaugh shared her gratitude to the Spears' Family and each person who donated to the project to make it a reality.

“Cancer is a life devastating disease, people usually want family near them and now they can have that and be close to them,” Vaugh said.

The Helen K. Spears Cancer Center is located at 510 SW Ramsey Avenue and is a part of Asante’s Three Rivers Medical Center.