Press releases

Yale-New Haven Hospital news release
Release date: September 8, 2005
Media contact: Vincent Petrini, (203) 688-2612

State of Connecticut approves Cancer Center

Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) announced on Wednesday that the state of Connecticut Office of Health Care Access (OHCA) has formally approved its Certificate of Need (CON) application to build a new $430 million clinical Cancer Center, the largest such project in State history.

In its approval, OHCA stated that the "hospital's proposal to build the North Pavilion, consolidate its oncological services and provide state-of-the-art services for cancer patients will allow for enhanced quality of care to all patients and a multi-disciplinary approach to care for cancer patients. Patients will have access to the most up-to-date treatment modalities and diagnostic and treatment equipment."

The approval stated that "the proposal will bring appropriate access to high quality cancer and related services for residents of its service (area), residents of Connecticut and residents of surrounding states. The benefit to patients will be higher survival rates, lower mortality and morbidity, fewer complications and readmissions after discharge, decrease in infections, improved functional outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. A statewide network of hospitals and community physicians will provide all residents opportunities for patients to enter clinical trials yet remain in their community for treatment. With the new cancer center, the hospital will be able to provide care to the patients who would have sought care outside of Connecticut."

The OHCA decision was based upon a full assessment of the state's health care needs, capacity and the overall impact of the Cancer Center on other institutions and the entire state health care system. The Certificate of Need process also reviewed the financial feasibility of the project.

"We appreciate the thorough and professional state review of this vitally important project and welcome the decision by OHCA to grant full approval of the Cancer Center," said Joseph A. Zaccagnino, president and CEO of Yale-New Haven Hospital. "The decision recognizes the significant benefits that the proposed Cancer Center will provide to patients with cancer, especially those for whom participation in key clinical trials will offer heretofore unavailable options."

As one of the nation's select National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer centers, the new facility will attract new clinicians and research, host innovative clinical treatment trials and apply the most recent medical research to the bedside.

"Every day in the state of Connecticut nearly 50 people are diagnosed with a new case of cancer and every day, more than a dozen people succumb to the disease," said Marvin K. Lender, chairman of the Yale-New Haven Hospital board of trustees. "The 14-story, 497,000-squre-foot Cancer Center will provide state-of-the-art care for pediatric and adult patients in an inpatient and outpatient basis. The state of Connecticut clearly recognizes the incredible importance of this project and we appreciate their strong support and full approval."

The North Pavilion/Cancer Center will feature 112 inpatient beds, infusions suites, 12 new operating rooms, a comprehensive Women's Cancer Center for breast and gynecologic cancer treatment, radiation therapy and state-of-the-art imaging. Recognizing that the emotional needs of patients must also be met, the Cancer Center will feature a sixth-floor healing garden, meditation space, a health library and a boutique for patients.

"This is a critically important milestone," said Norman Roth, Yale-New Haven Hospital senior vice president of administration. "We will, of course, continue to work with the city of New Haven to secure all of the necessary approvals so this important project can begin as soon as possible. We remain concerned that further delays at the city level will have an adverse impact on the scope and timing of the construction of the facility."

An economic impact study completed by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center estimated that the project would have more than a $1 billion positive impact on the regional economy between now and 2011. It will create 350 construction jobs and will generate more than 400 new jobs growing to 500 new permanent positions within 24 months of its opening.

Additionally, the total project will generate approximately $4.5 million in building and construction fees to the city of New Haven and more than $5.5 million in annual PILOT and property tax revenue to the city from the Cancer Center, a mixed-use parking facility and a mixed-use office building to support the Cancer Center.

"The reason for this Cancer Center is absolutely clear and time is of the essence," said Marna P. Borgstrom, executive vice president and chief operating officer. "We have sought no local, state or federal funding for this project and very much appreciate the state's timely and thoughtful approval and look forward securing the necessary approvals from the city of New Haven that will enable us to make this project a reality"

Reporters: For more information on this release, contact Vincent Petrini, (203) 688-2612.

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Last revised: September 8, 2005 (mv)

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