Cape Fear Valley Health held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 29 for the new Cape Fear Valley Health Pavilion – Lillington near the campus of Central Harnett Hospital. Cape Fear Valley broke ground on the facility in August 2023. The facility’s address is 225 Brightwater Drive, Lillington. Guests were invited to tour the facility after the ceremony.

The three-story, 66,000-square-foot building is anchored by the new Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center – Lillington. Also included in the facility are a variety of specialty clinics, including General Surgery; Ear, Nose and Throat; Heart and Vascular Specialists; Neurology; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Rheumatology; Pharmacy and Podiatry.

Harnett Healthcare President Cory Hess welcomed a crowd of over 100 guests to the ceremony.

“I would go out on a limb and say this is probably the most beautiful, state-of-the-art cancer center in the region now,” Hess said. “You’re really going to love what you see inside.”

Cape Fear Valley Health CEO Michael Nagowski also thanked all the former board members of Harnett Health, without whose perseverance and leadership the center would not exist.

“We’ve been so proud to be affiliated with all the good citizens here in Harnett County and to help to enhance the healthcare that’s being provided here,” Nagowski said. “This facility is a symbol of Cape Fear Valley and Harnett Health’s commitment to healthcare in this community. It’s the latest project in a long list of expansions and continued improvements.”

Medical Oncologist Dr. Madhuri Vithala spoke briefly about the Cancer Center.

“This is a very special and much awaited moment for me and the staff here at the Cancer Center,” Vithala said. “Going through chemotherapy is a very hard and difficult time for patients and their families. For them to be able to receive care in a state-of-the-art facility that’s close to home is very comforting and immensely benefits not only our patients but also their family. Our community in Harnett County has a huge need for a facility like this. … Many of our patients need chemotherapy and radiation at same time. Right now, patients travel to Fayetteville for radiation treatment. These patients are very ill and have a lot of difficulty to travel. We are now very excited that our patients have access to radiation treatment right here at home.”

About the Cancer Center

The new 17,000-square-foot Cancer Center will offer the full spectrum of cancer care, including radiation oncology services. Currently, cancer services in Harnett County include diagnosis and chemotherapy, but radiation treatment hasn’t previously been available within Harnett County.

Adding radiation therapy to the treatment options in Harnett County will greatly enhance the treatment experience for patients. At least half of all cancer patients receive radiation as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment program, often administered through multiple daily sessions for several weeks. Without a local option, patients in Harnett County currently travel many miles to receive radiation therapy.

Frequent travel is both difficult and expensive for cancer patients, who are often already feeling ill and experiencing a great deal of stress about their health and finances. The new facility, with new technology and the collaboration of a dedicated Radiation Oncologist on staff, will allow cancer patients to receive every necessary treatment in one place – and close to home.

The facility will also expand the number of infusion chairs available for patients receiving chemotherapy. Thanks to the generosity of donors, several major sections of the building have already received naming gifts. The Cancer Center’s waiting area is named in honor of local physician Dr. P.K. Vyas, and the Healing Garden is named in memory of Carla Parker Aldredge.

About the Healing Garden

Windows in each of the new Cancer Center’s infusion suites will look out on a peaceful Healing Garden. The Healing Garden is a 3,000-square-foot area with arbors, benches, tables and seating. It is designed to be a peaceful, private space for cancer center patients and their families. It will provide an opportunity for families, visitors and patients to enjoy some time outside, as well as view the garden from the infusion bays.