Area cancer patients will be able to access all their medical needs under one roof at the $12 million Carson Tahoe Cancer Center starting Monday.

After nearly a year of construction, Nevada's first fully accredited cancer center has the similar look and feel of the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, which opened in December and sits in the center of the 80-acre campus.

"When it all comes together in one place, it's very satisfying," said Ed Epperson, health-care president and chief executive officer.

He said Wednesday during a tour of the 35,000-square-foot building that insured and uninsured patients will receive the same level of care here.

"We will probably have to subsidize with grants and through help from the hospital," he said.

The Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Foundation is raising the $12 million construction cost from private donations. It should cost about $22 million to fully equip the center and also support the maintenance and operation, said Pam Graber, foundation executive director.

Carla Brutico, cancer services manager, said it's unknown how many patients they'll serve because the center is combining many cancer services under one roof.

Housed in the cancer center: oncologists Dr. John Kelly and Dr. Mark Meadors; radiation therapy; an infusion center; tumor registry, which submits cancer information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Database; clinical trials and educational outreach.

Cancer patients will watch informational videos on a 42-inch flat screen television inside the new Cancer Resource Center. Female patients have a fitting room for wigs, scarves and prosthetic breasts. They'll be able to relax and read books in the center's library, which has plush sofas and book shelves made of cherry wood.

"It's good to see the fruition of all these ideas," said Ruth Merriner, who donated $2 million to build the 15 cottages named in her family's honor. The cottages will be available for patients who are undergoing heart surgery or cancer treatment.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.



If you go

WHAT: Carson Tahoe Cancer Center open house

WHEN: 1-4 p.m. Saturday; the center opens for patients Monday

WHERE: 1535 Medical Parkway, northwest of the new hospital in North Carson City

FEATURES: Visitors will receive a map of the new cancer center; they can also tour one of the 15 Merriner Cottages and meet staff.