Cancer care is an evolving field, and consistently delivering the best care requires a wealth of diverse expertise, an arsenal of technology and the ability to adapt to new advances - precisely the qualities St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York found compelling about Aptium Oncology’s capabilities.

In 1997, St. Vincent’s Hospital had no centrally coordinated cancer program, a small number of medical oncologists on staff and two outdated linear accelerators in the main hospital. The pressure to build a cancer center that could deliver cutting-edge care was great, yet the obstacles of getting a comprehensive cancer center off the ground and keeping it running smoothly were daunting.

The hospital found in Aptium Oncology a common sense of purpose, one that was crucial to achieving the hospital’s vision of raising the level of cancer care services in its community.

Backed by the financial strength and experience of Aptium Oncology, St. Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center (SVCCC) opened its 75,000-square foot cancer center in 1999 in a landmark building in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. The facility is architecturally and operationally designed to maximize patient comfort and convenience and to enable seamless communication and collaboration among its multiple cancer specialists.

SVCCC now houses approximately 22 physicians and over 200 employees. Specialty programs include one of the most advanced radiation oncology departments in the United States, a nationally recognized multiple myeloma program, a Comprehensive Breast Center and a medical oncology department with a treatment unit that is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The program has seen rapid growth since its inception and now provides care for well over 3,000 new patients a year.

SVCCC’s interdisciplinary team of clinicians coordinates the evaluation and treatment planning for each individual patient. The SVCCC medical staff specializes in treating all types of cancer and offers treatment programs with the latest techniques and advances in clinical medicine and technology.

Because cancer affects many aspects of a patient’s life, SVCCC offers a variety of special amenities and resources to help patients and their loved ones. Services include pain and symptom management - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, social work, support groups, nutritional counseling, complementary therapies (including acupuncture, yoga, massage and more), and many others.

For over 20 years, Aptium Oncology has been working with hospitals like St. Vincent’s to develop, fund and manage outpatient oncology centers designed to deliver comprehensive, leading-edge cancer care.