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Trustees Move Forward on Cancer Center Proposal

Posted on: Tuesday, 4 October 2005, 18:00 CDT

By Gene Powell Jr., Odessa American, Texas

Oct. 4--The hospital board is expected to take the last step tonight toward construction of a cancer center at Medical Center Hospital.

The Ector County Hospital District is scheduled to award a construction contract tonight at its monthly meeting. The trustees will also ratify the final lease agreement with U.S. Oncology, the parent company of Texas Oncology, which operates the West Texas Cancer Center at Sixth Street and Grant Avenue.

Both measures are expected to be approved, according to MCH CEO William Webster, but not until the public has a chance to comment on the plan.

"Nearly five years into the planning and negotiation phases, the development of the new cancer center remains vitally important for several reasons," Webster said.

The lowest of six construction bids for the center is more than $500,000 lower than the projected $4,486,856 million cost of building a cancer center and renovating the existing oncology building on the MCH campus.

The base bids for building a cancer center on the campus of Medical Center Hospital are:

-- Campbell Construction of Midland: $4,514,510.

-- Cooper Construction of Odessa: $4,294,500.

-- Lee George Construction of Big Spring: $4,399,000.

-- Mid-Tex of Midland: $4,287,782.

-- J.C. Roberts Construction of Odessa: $4,167,000.

-- N.C. Sturgeon Inc. of Midland: $3,958,898.

The cancer center deal isn't the only issue up for the board's review tonight that has stirred questions.

Dr. Bruce Becker will ask the board to approve an agreement to hire a consultant to do a feasibility study for a hospitalist program at MCH.

The board originally budgeted for a hospitalist program, but backed that money out of the budget in September. Instead the board decided to only budget to hire a consultant to do the feasibility study, putting off the decision on whether to implement a hospitalist program.

If implemented, a hospitalist program puts a doctor at the hospital for patients for set shifts. Supporters say the program helps patients by giving them ready access to a doctor.

In other matters, the hospital board will:

-- Consider the purchase of real property. Associate Administrator Tony Ruiz will also address the board about buying Lots 1-4, Block 1 of Scharbauer Place. The four lots are adjacent to the former Broncho Chevrolet property the board bought earlier this year and are the former home of the Bruce Motel.

-- Consider approving purchase of a GE Surgical C-Arm for outpatient services, an uninterruptible power supply for computer room and laparoscopic towers with cameras and light. Those requests will first be considered by the finance committee at a 4:30 p.m. meeting.

-- Recognize Barbara Anderson and Kim McDaniel as the employees of the month.

-- Hear reports from Texas Tech and Chief of Staff Daniel O'Hearn.

-- Consider a TCDRS resolution.

-- Hear actuarial services reports for the post retirement medical plan and for the self-insured professional liability, general liability and workers compensation.

-- Hear results of a HIPAA Security Assessment Audit from Barbara Dingman.

-- Hear a report on the August 2005 financial statement.

-- Consider a resolution to allow the use of a credit card account to purchase airline tickets.

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Copyright (c) 2005, Odessa American, Texas

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Source: Odessa American

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