Cancer Treatment Centers of America Selects Site in GA for Proposed Hospital Serving Patients in Southeast

/PRNewswire/ -- Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) announced today that it has selected Newnan, Ga., as the site of a proposed cancer treatment hospital that will serve patients in the Southeast and provide 500 new jobs in metro Atlanta.

"I'm excited that CTCA will now be closer to home," said Valerie Yurchuk, a cancer patient who treated at CTCA. "I could have gone to any cancer treatment program in the nation, but I came to CTCA because of its unique, patient-centered approach."

CTCA President and CEO Steve Bonner said the company chose Georgia as a gateway to better serve cancer patients throughout the Southeast.

"We are pleased to propose a new cancer treatment facility in the Southeast and thrilled to select Coweta County, one of the most sought-after destinations in metro Atlanta and Georgia," said Bonner. "Cancer patients living in the Southeast will have easier access to the high-quality, individualized, comprehensive care for which CTCA is known."

CTCA expects the new facility to generate $500 million in economic activity over the first five years of operation. With more than two-thirds of its patients expected to come from outside the state of Georgia, patients and their families will contribute to the growth and vitality of the local economy. The proposed fully digital Georgia facility will mark the fifth CTCA hospital to offer cancer patients a fully integrated care model, which combines the best traditional medical care to treat the cancer with scientifically supported integrative therapies to help manage side effects, strengthen the immune system and improve each person's quality of life.

The company will now file a notice of intent to apply for a certificate of need with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), whose approval is necessary before CTCA can build and operate the facility. The Georgia hospital, if approved by DCH, will have 50 inpatient beds and more than 200,000 square feet.

"We're pleased to have CTCA here in Coweta County," said Bill Harrison, of the economic development authority. "They'll provide much-needed new jobs - and bring a vitally important service as well as hundreds of patients and family members to our region."

But more importantly, said Yurchuk, is proximity to the comprehensive care CTCA provides.

"CTCA didn't look at treating just my cancer, but looked at me as a whole person," she said. "My treatment plan was based on my individual needs. Everything was explained to me and I was the one making the decisions. That's the difference at CTCA - I was at the center of my care, from the very beginning."

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Governor Perdue Announces IT3 Transportation Plan

Today (June 12, 2008) Governor Sonny Perdue announced a new statewide transportation partnership called Investing in Tomorrow’s Transportation Today or IT3. IT3 is designed to bring the Department of Transportation, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, the General Assembly, local partners and the executive branch together to formulate strategies that will improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state.

“As we did in education, we will transform the way we look at transportation from counting how much money we spend to an outcomes-based investment strategy to ensure we create a 21st century transportation network throughout the state,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.

Throughout the summer and fall, the state’s transportation agencies will be working in collaboration with the General Assembly’s transportation committees and stakeholders throughout Georgia to develop a business case for transportation investment. Included will be the definition of strategic goals and policies, benchmarking with other states’ transportation successes and examination of ways to financially support outcomes.

During the press conference, Governor Perdue announced that the state will fund 28 new GRTA buses using a combination of state and federal dollars. The Xpress service has proven a successful way to provide reliable commute alternatives for residents of metropolitan Atlanta who have work destinations in the Downtown and Midtown areas of the city of Atlanta. These additions to the Xpress fleet are based on consumer demand on routes originating in Conyers, Stockbridge, Newnan, Buford, Douglasville, Canton and Snellville. These buses will serve new routes and supply more bus departure times on existing routes.

“I think with standing room only on buses and gas at four dollars a gallon, we need more transportation options, and that’s what I am committed to do by funding additional GRTA buses,” said Governor Perdue. “One bus can take up to 57 cars off the road and we understand with the addition of these new buses increased ridership will ease congestion.”

Governor Perdue also voiced his strong support for a commuter rail pilot project from Atlanta to Griffin, previously known as the Lovejoy line. The extension of the line from Lovejoy to Griffin is anticipated to improve ridership by 40 percent while only requiring a marginal increase in operating costs. GDOT will work in partnership with GRTA in executing the next steps in bringing the line to fruition.

Such steps will include obtaining commitments from local governments to partner with state in supporting operations on the Griffin line. Among the criteria for success will include providing reliable service that saves commuters time and money.

“I am fully prepared to support GDOT’s efforts on commuter rail and making the pilot a reality,” said Governor Perdue. “After looking at the operational costs that I’ve seen it makes sense to go all the way to Griffin using this pilot program.”

Governor Perdue was joined at the press conference by DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham and members of the DOT and GRTA boards.

“After nearly two decades in state government at various levels, I believe that this is the best state transportation board I have had the privilege to work with,” Governor Perdue said. “I am eager to continue working closely with them and the General Assembly in this critical effort.”