UM Capital Region Health Hosts Groundbreaking Celebration for New Regional Cancer Center in Prince George’s County

University of Maryland Capital Region Health reached another milestone to expand care and access in Prince George's County and the surrounding area in a groundbreaking celebration today for a new Regional Cancer Center. The occasion drew the attendance of elected officials, medical, civic and business leaders and community stakeholders who gathered to recognize what lies on the horizon for Prince George's County residents.

Nearly one year after opening the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, the first brand-new hospital in the region in more than 30 years, the plan to expand the campus to include a Regional Cancer Center has begun.

"Taking a multidisciplinary approach to address incidence of cancer is key and UM Capital will have a significant impact on the community—creating a one-stop destination to provide coordinated care with expertise and compassion," said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President & CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System. "We will build on the success we have seen at the University of Maryland Greenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center in Baltimore City, as well as other parts of Maryland, where UMMS hospitals are front and center in providing the highest quality care through the UM Cancer Network."

Expected to open in spring 2024, the Regional Cancer Center will provide high-quality comprehensive cancer care services, initially focusing on breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers.

"Seeing our plans for a Regional Cancer Center materialize is indeed a proud moment," said Nathaniel Richardson, Jr. President & CEO, UM Capital Region Health. "In a County that has the highest percentage of cancer incidences and mortalities amongst African-Americans, it is critically important to have resources that encourages conversations about cancer— early detection and intervention. Improving the health and wellbeing of residents in our Prince George's County is a step in the right direction, and for the first time we will be expanding the reach of life-saving clinical trials and partnering with our colleagues at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, which is exciting."

The new Regional Cancer Center aims to reduce the cancer disease burden in the local community, providing greater access to cancer screenings, leading to earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer and better outcomes for patients. In addition, experts will address health disparities in Prince George's County by expanding the reach of life-saving clinical trials into the County for the first time.

Recently, Governor Hogan announced his commitment to fund $216 million for cancer research, including this new Cancer Center, which is a $67 million dollar investment.

"This is very near and dear to my heart, because I know just how difficult it is to get that life-altering diagnosis and to experience that feeling of not knowing what comes next," said Governor Hogan. "With the completion of this new cancer center, the neighborhoods where I grew up and spent much of my life—Landover, Capitol Heights, Largo, Upper Marlboro, and all of Prince George's County—will be able to receive the high-quality cancer treatment and medical care that they deserve right here, where they will have access to some of the best doctors, nurses, and health care professionals in the world."

"We went into this current legislative session in Annapolis as a partner with the University of Maryland Medical System to advocate for a cancer center in Prince George's, so we are proud that we have officially secured this funding," said Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. "For too long, Prince Georgians have often had to leave the County to receive quality cancer care, despite the fact that cancer is the second-leading cause of death for County residents. We want to thank the Governor and the State Legislature for investing in our County and expanding access to health care for Prince Georgians."

Special guests at the groundbreaking celebration included:

• Gov. Larry J. Hogan
• Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks
• The Honorable Senator Joanne Benson, Chair, Prince George's County Delegation
• The Honorable Delegate Nicholas Charles, Chair, Prince George's County Delegation
• Melissa Ana Liriano Vyfhuis, MD, PhD, radiation oncologist, visiting assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Prince George's County resident

Additional Quotes

"This level of investment for the Cancer Center is a true indicator of our commitment at the State level to health and welfare of Prince Georgian's and Marylanders," said Hon. Delegate Nicholas Charles, Chair, Prince George's County Delegation.

"Helping fund this Regional Cancer Center is a proud moment," said the Hon. Delegate Ben Barnes. "Today is a joyous occasion and I celebrate what this resource will mean for the community and look forward to seeing its impact."

"University of Maryland Capital Region Health continues to be an exciting game-changer for Prince George's County. Today's groundbreaking for the new Cancer Center further affirms the important healthcare and economic development benefits of our partnership on behalf of County residents and communities," said Hon. Derrick Leon Davis, Prince George's County Council Member. "District 6 is proud to host such vibrant, transformative economic development here in Largo, the heart of our County – spurring job creation, transit-oriented development, and investment in our community for many years to come."

"Marylanders deserve to have access to comprehensive cancer treatment and support, regardless of where they live in the State," said Hon. Bill Ferguson, Senate President. "I am pleased the Senate of Maryland has been able to provide $13.5 million to establish a dedicated cancer center in Prince George's County, an area that has long gone without critical oncology care. The new University of Maryland Capital Region Cancer Center will give families the care and services they need as they battle one of the toughest diseases."

"I am incredibly pleased that our great state has again demonstrated our commitment to providing the highest healthcare quality for all Marylanders," said Hon. Senator Melony Griffith, President Pro Temp. "The life-saving and impactful services provided by a dedicated healthcare professional at this Cancer Center offer a valuable and much-needed enhancement to the healthcare continuum in Prince Georges County and the region. The funding provided by the Senate of Maryland, the House of Delegates, and the Governor support one of Prince George's County's highest priorities, providing for the health and well-being of our community."

"Access to quality health care, health promotion, and disease prevention are priority concerns for the Prince George's County Council, in its role as the Board of Health, and for our residents. Breaking ground for a world-class Cancer Center is a momentous step forward in one of our most significant undertakings in Prince George's County," said Hon. Calvin S. Hawkins, II, Chair, Prince George's County Council, Council Member At-Large. "The Council celebrates with the University of Maryland Capital Region Health, County Executive Alsobrooks, our state partners, and Prince Georgians as we enter yet another critical milestone in our collaboration to improve healthcare and grow our economy."

"The new Prince George's Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center will mean the residents of Prince George's and Southern Maryland no longer need to travel out of state for cancer treatments," said the Hon. Delegate Adrienne A. Jones, Speaker of the House. "The Maryland House of Delegates is proud of our role in getting this critical project funded."

For more information about the new UM Capital Region Cancer Center, visit http://umcapitalregion.org/CancerCenter.

For information on how to support UM Capital Region Health with philanthropic giving, visit umcapitalregionfoundation.org.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state's future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system's more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 12 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

About University of Maryland Capital Region Health

Providing primary and specialty health care services to Prince George's County and the neighboring area, University of Maryland Capital Region Health was established in September 2017 upon formal affiliation with the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), and is committed to improving health outcomes in the communities it serves. University of Maryland Capital Region Health operates the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Largo, University of Maryland Laurel Medical Center, University of Maryland Bowie Health Campus, and the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Group with practice locations in Cheverly, Suitland, Bowie, Laurel and the National Harbor. Together, community physicians and University of Maryland School of Medicine (SOM) faculty provide clinical expertise across a range of specialties and programs including: acute rehabilitation; anesthesiology; critical and chronic ventilation care; emergency medicine; neonatology; orthopedics; and vascular surgery. University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center is home to the State's second-busiest trauma center and a highly regarded cardiac surgery program, which is led by faculty from the University of Maryland School of Medicine; a certified and designated primary stroke center. For more information, visit www.umcapitalregion.org.