First Health of the Carolinas officially opened its new comprehensive cancer center to patients and caregivers today, March 27. 

Located at 135 Page Road in Pinehurst, the center was completed after nearly two years of construction. The four-story, 120,000-square-foot center, was “designed to change the way FirstHealth delivers cancer care.” According to a press release sent out by FirstHealth the center was purposely-built to become a “haven of hope” for patients and their families.

FirstHealth Chief Executive Officer Mickey Foster said the center will bring all outpatient cancer services together under one roof, streamlining the care process for patients and offering expanded support services.

“Our dream all along has been that this center becomes a hub for cancer care across the Sandhills

and beyond, and I look forward to seeing how this world-class space allows our award-winning

care teams to deliver on our core purpose – To Care for People,” Foster said in a press release. “We have made a commitment to the communities we serve to deliver high-quality care close to home, and the cancer center represents our next step to keep that promise.”

In addition to state-of-the-art treatment facilities, the center will house palliative care services,

research and clinical trials, navigation and support services for patients and caregivers, nutrition

services and a dedicated wellness center, well-equipped with a Yoga room. A healing garden

outside the building will offer a place for patients and their families to connect and relax.

Cancer treatment in the new center could involve patients and their caregivers visiting a

meditation room or taking part in a yoga class. The combination of support services and

treatment will improve FirstHealth’s ability to provide comprehensive care and bring it all

together under one roof. 

According to leaders, the combination of support services and treatment will improve FirstHealth’s ability to provide comprehensive care and bring it all together under one roof. FirstHealth providers and staff will continue to work with Pinehurst Medical Clinic medical oncology and hematology providers, surgeons from Pinehurst Surgical Clinic, radiation oncologists from Pinehurst Radiation Oncology, as well as FirstHealth gynecologic oncologists and palliative care providers.

Foster shared with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal that approximately 200 staff will work at the FirstHealth Cancer Center and they will continue to invest in their team and services.

According to Foster, recent expansions to their oncology team have been in the works since 2022. 

“FirstHealth and Pinehurst Medical Clinic (PMC) welcomed two new hematologists and medical oncologists, Laura Hanson, M.D., and Saritha Ravella, M.D. in August of last year. Drs. Hanson and Ravella joined Pinehurst Medical Clinic’s oncology team and an expanding cancer care team at FirstHealth with additional oncologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, oncology nurse navigators and clinical trials professionals,” said Foster. “Additionally, oncologist Jeffrey Klotz, M.D., joined FirstHealth Oncology & Hematology in October 2022.  With the opening of the FirstHealth Cancer Center, we will continue to expand cancer services and the team to best meet the needs of our patients and the community.” 

Radiation oncologist Sushma Patel, M.D., and Pinehurst Surgical Clinic surgeon Raymond

Washington, M.D., will serve as co-medical directors of the Cancer Center.

“We have anxiously watched throughout the construction process, knowing that this space would

completely change the game for how our care teams treat patients,” Patel said in a press release. “As we move into the space, I know that we will continue to provide exceptional, compassionate care close to the communities we serve and make the experience – from diagnosis to treatment and into recovery– seamless.”

Community support was key in the center becoming a reality. The Building the Dream campaign

– a $30 million fundraising effort led by The Foundation of FirstHealth – paid for almost half of

the $68 million construction project.

In preparation for the grand opening of the new facility, FirstHealth hosted two opportunities for those who made it possible. 

FirstHealth previously held a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 7, during which  they had both their founders and their cancer patients participate in cutting the ribbon in 2 separate ceremonies, following the ceremonies.

A second event, a community open house was planned to give the community as a whole a chance to see the new facility. 

Art Medeiros, Chairman of the Foundation Board, said the center represents a commitment to

fighting cancer and helping patients and their families navigate a complex care process.

“This center is a beachhead in our efforts to fight cancer. This center of healing, this haven of

hope that we have, is yours,” Medeiros said Tuesday during a ribbon-cutting for the new center.

“We have been watching this center take physical shape for months now, but I don’t just see a

building. I see the processes that will happen inside the building that will help people navigate

their cancer journey through diagnosis, treatment and recovery. We have been honored to have

the community’s support in this campaign.”