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Community Turns Out for MVH Regional Cancer Center Silver Anniversary.

The spotlight was on cancer survivors when Monongahela Valley Hospital commemorated twenty-five years of regional cancer care.

While the event marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Charles L. and Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center, Louis J. Panza Jr., president and chief executive officer of the health system, said the primary focus was to share “The Vision of Hope Cancer Care Program” with the residents of the mid-Monongahela Valley and with our survivors.

“The patients and their families who have utilized and benefited from our oncology services are the most important reason for this celebration,” Panza told the gathering of more than 300 people in the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, half of them cancer survivors.

“They deserve our gratitude,” Panza said of the more than 12,000 people who have utilized the Center since it opened in July 1985. “They are the true heroes of this celebration. They have shown courage and commitment to overcome cancer and truly be survivors. They give hope to others because of their determination and positive spirit. Their words speak loud volumes that have positive meaning. These men and women give us many reasons to appreciate the resources we have to provide this kind of medical treatment.”

Offering similar sentiments were Andrew J. Zahalsky, M.D., director of medical oncology and Judith H. Figura, M.D., a radiation oncologist at the MVH Regional Cancer Center who listed the technological achievements of the Center. They also extended appreciation to their colleagues on the MVH Medical Staff and the oncology nurses and ancillary staff at the Regional Cancer Center and on the 7-East Inpatient Oncology Unit.

“They are the foundation of the quality of care and medical services we provide for our cancer patients,” Zahalsky said. “They truly reflect the caring attitude that exists here in dealing with the emotional as well as physical hurdles of overcoming cancer.”
Zahalsky said the celebration was “more than just about a building” in noting the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Sweeney-Melenyzer Pavilion.

“It’s a celebration of something that exists hospital-wide,” he said. “Cancer care here really is a multi-disciplinary team effort.

There are so many people who work together to get them (patients) well and on their way back to healthy lives.”
Zahalsky told the group the most important aspect of the program was “to celebrate your lives and to thank you for putting your faith and confidence in us.”

C. Garret Cooper, 29, a former Charleroi resident, presented a special survivor’s story describing the outstanding care and assistance he received at the Center.

“There are many emotions involved in the process,” he said. “Those who are survivors understand that better than anyone, and it is significant that we are celebrating together. We sincerely appreciate all of you and what you have provided for us for many reasons.”

“I am very thankful that this facility is here,” Cooper said.

Panza recalled that groundbreaking for the Regional Cancer Center was held February 29, 1984 and actual construction began on March 26 of that year. Just a little more than a year later – on June 30, 1985 – the Sweeney-Melenyzer Pavilion opened as the first cancer treatment and special procedures center of its kind in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.

“That opening symbolized far more than just the addition of a new treatment modality at our hospital,” Panza said. “It also marked the advent of a new dimension in the provision of health care in our region. For the first time in the history of these three counties, cancer patients no longer had to leave the area for treatment. This eliminated the need to travel long distances and incur the expense and discomfort associated with a necessary journey to which there was no viable alternative.”

Over the years, patient volume at the Regional Cancer Center has grown at a steady pace — so much so in recent years, that “we were bursting at the seams,” Panza said. “So in 2002 we decided to take cancer care in the mid-Monongahela to “new heights” and literally raised the roof at the Sweeney-Melenyzer Pavilion with the addition of two floors on the original building.”

The expansion project was completed in a little more than 10 months.

Panza also expressed special appreciation to Mrs. Rose Sweeney Melenyzer whose “firm commitment to the growth and development of health care service throughout the region is symbolized by our Regional Cancer Center,” which is named in honor of the late Mrs. Melenyzer and her late husband, Dr. Charles L. Melenyzer, in recognition of their benevolence toward the project.

“Mrs. Melenyzer was a longtime benefactor and friend of our health system,” Panza said. “In addition, Mrs. Melenyzer was the patron and sponsor of numerous other charitable causes in our community for many years. We, like the thousands of others who have benefited because of her generosity, are deeply grateful to her.”

Panza said cancer care at Monongahela Valley Hospital have come a long way over the past twenty-five years in terms of skilled and compassionate staff and cutting-edge technology in its quest to provide comprehensive, quality oncology services.

He noted that the MVH Regional Cancer Center is one of the largest independent, free-standing facility of its kind in Western Pennsylvania.

“But we will never be satisfied with what exists,” he said. “We will continue to move forward in meeting our responsibility to our patients and to our community. We must be and will be committed to do nothing less.”