Edgewood, KY—St. Elizabeth Healthcare broke ground for its Cancer Center in Edgewood, Kentucky on August 9. During the event, Dr. Doug Flora was named Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services.
The groundbreaking represented the first milestone in St. Elizabeth’s goal to expand cancer prevention, genetic screening, precision medicine and treatment options in Northern Kentucky. The Cancer Center will open its doors to the public in 2020.
“We are excited to begin the building process for this premier Cancer Center that will enable St. Elizabeth to provide advanced cancer care right here in our community,” says Garren Colvin, President and CEO of St. Elizabeth. “The Center is a key component in fulfilling our ongoing vision to lead Northern Kentucky to become one of the healthiest communities in America.”
Focus on Innovation
The Cancer Center will lead the way in personalized cancer care by bringing the latest technology and research together in the hands of experienced clinicians. The Center will feature:
- Precision medicine and genomic health, utilizing cutting edge science and technology to assure delivery of the right drug, at the right dose, at the right time.
- Increased education, screening and prevention services in Northern Kentucky, helping to identify cancers sooner, and save more lives.
- Clinical research with access to more clinical trials, sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and members of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), and conveniently located in the area.
- Multidisciplinary oncology expertise, including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, oncology surgeons, nurse navigators, research nurses, genetic counselors and many others conveniently located at the Center, so patients can receive the care they need all in one place.
- The most advanced technology in the region, allowing St. Elizabeth doctors to catch cancer sooner so it can be diagnosed at an earlier stage and increase survival rates.
A Champion for Cancer Care
Dr. Flora, who has previously served as the Interim Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services, was named Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services during the groundbreaking event. “Dr. Flora has extensive experience as a leader in oncology services,” said Kathy Jennings, Senior Vice President of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth. “We are thrilled to have him at the helm of the Cancer Center, which will change the way cancer care is delivered in our region.”
In addition to serving as interim Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth, Dr. Flora has been a Medical Oncologist/Hematologist with St. Elizabeth Physicians since 2016. His other roles within St. Elizabeth have included president of medical staff, physician champion in precision medicine and Mayo e-Consults and chairman of medicine. He is a member of the board of trustees at St. Elizabeth and a member of the boards of directors with Cancer Family Care and the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation, Cincinnati.
Dr. Flora received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from The Ohio State University College of Medicine & Public Health. He completed his internship, residency and fellowship in internal medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in medical oncology. Dr. Flora’s extensive resume includes multiple awards and letters of honor, including 2013 American Cancer Society, Kentucky Person of the Year. He has been published in numerous publications.
Completion of the new Cancer Center is scheduled for 2020. Some costs for the new building initiative are being funded in part through a capital campaign. In its most ambitious goal for community support in its 30-year history, the St. Elizabeth Foundation plans to raise $30 million for the Cancer Center. Support for the campaign has been strong, with early gifts of more than $12.5 million; $1.5 million of that amount directly from St. Elizabeth associates. More about the campaign can be found at stelizabeth.com/cancercentercampaign.