On Monday, August 31, Wilkes Medical Center celebrated being able to offer world-class cancer care, close to home, with an official ribbon cutting.
(Pictured left to right: Chad Brown, Dr. Jim Atkins, Graylin Carlton (Chaplin), Kevin High, Erica Shore, FNP and Dr. Bayard Powell)
“We’re excited, said Chad Brown, president of Wilkes Medical Center. This has been years in the making. Hematology and Oncology - Wilkes is only a facility made of bricks and mortar but the care team is what makes it so special.”
Dr. Kevin High, president of Wake Forest Baptist Health joined in on the excitement saying “we are glad to bring cancer care to the folks in Wilkes County rather than them having to drive to Winston-Salem. This is the largest investment to Wilkes Medical Center since Wilkes became part of Wake Forest Baptist Health in 2017. The investment totaled $6 million.”
The $6 million investment provided a state-of-the-art 7,000-square-foot facility including a reception area, renovated pharmacy, nine exam rooms and 12 chemotherapy infusion bays on the first floor of the hospital.
Hematology and Oncology – Wilkes is an extension of Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Wake Forest Baptist has the only NCI-designated cancer center in the region, said Dr. Bayard Powell, section chief of WFBH hematology and oncology. This designation recognizes deep expertise in patient care, research and clinical trials. We are glad to be able to extend this quality care to the Wilkes community. Patients will have access to a great care team here while still having access to other cancer specialists in our network.”
Dr. Jim Atkins, hematologist and oncologist and Erica Shore, FNP started seeing patients on August 17.
“We have seen a number of folks already and we are eager to see more so we can get them the care they want and need, said Dr. Jim Atkins. Our Winston- Salem campus is still a great resource but we want to give people options including the option to remain close to home while receiving cancer care.”