East Texans facing the challenges of cancer and heart disease have new opportunities
Honoring Mary and Wayne Poindexter
and a lasting legacy for cancer care When the late Mary Poindexter of Tyler began care for her pancreatic cancer through the physicians of the ETMC Cancer Institute, the result proved momentous, generating hope for Mary and her husband, Wayne, as well as countless cancer patients to come. The Poindexters had become disillusioned with the care Mary was receiving at another cancer treatment hospital in Texas. Therefore, they were pleased when Dr. Arielle Lee, Tyler specialist in medical oncology, provided a new evaluation and implemented an aggressive treatment plan. In the months that followed, Dr. Lee supervised chemotherapy, which was followed by radiation therapy at the ETMC Cancer Institute in Tyler through Dr. James Kolker, radiation oncologist. Both the physicians and the Poindexters were pleased, as Mary’s condition improved. Mary and Wayne decided that they could best honor Drs. Lee and Kolker and support ETMC’s ongoing advancement of cancer services through a plan of giving to the ETMC Foundation and ETMC Cancer Institute. Therefore, the Poindexter Patient Care Fund was established in 2005 to assist cancer patients with financial hardships so that they may follow their treatment plan, especially regarding palliative care. This charitable funding was only the beginning, however, as the Poindexters listened to ETMC’s dreams for the Cancer Institute and those it serves. They elected to support the construction of the new 6-North patient care unit for cancer patients through an initial gift and a later estate gift, representing a contribution of $5 million. “We wanted to use our funds in some manner that would be greatly beneficial and truly help people at the individual level,” said Wayne Poindexter. “After what Mary went through, we saw how many people are affected by cancer. It was our desire to do something here at ETMC that would help cancer patients in our home community.” After her brave battle with cancer, Mary ultimately lost her life to other medical causes in 2007. However, her kindness and legacy continue through the new Mary and Wayne Poindexter Patient Care Unit, as it opens in January 2010. “The Poindexters truly exemplified the spirit of philanthropy, as they selected projects that will make a difference in the lives of so many patients and families in the years ahead,” noted Elmer G. Ellis, president/CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. “We are grateful for this tremendous giving to ETMC’s mission of saving lives and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. This support is a blessing now and a lasting legacy for countless people, as well as our organization.” |
for care and healing in two state-of-the-art units at ETMC Tyler.
On Jan. 12, a dedication ceremony was held for the Mary and Wayne Poindexter Patient Care Unit. The ceremony honored Mr. Poindexter and his wife for their contribution of $5 million to the new oncology (cancer care) unit on the sixth floor. The day also provided guests with tours of the new fifth floor unit dedicated to cardiology (heart care) patients and other medical specialties.
A $28 million expansion
The two new units represent a $28 million expansion project which adds a total of 72 new rooms and two stories to the north tower of the hospital. The building program began in 2008. ETMC Regional Healthcare System CEO/President Elmer G. Ellis noted that the bricks and mortar of construction illustrate the larger message of ETMC’s growing service to the people and communities of East Texas.
“Due to ETMC’s strength in specialized patient care, we have seen significant increases in patient census, including many periods when the hospital is essentially full,” said Ellis. “The addition of the 72 beautiful rooms that will comprise the new 5-North and 6-North units will have many positive effects for our facility as a whole and especially for the patients and guests during their stay.”
Part of the innovation
“Part of the innovation of the two new units is the fact that they are tiered out from the current north wings in a ‘reverse wedding cake’ design,” added Ellis. “This will expand the width of the units by 9 feet, allowing for larger patient rooms and corridors. The comfortable, visually appealing environment will be an important component of the healing process for our patients.”
Each of the units will include 36 private rooms with expansive windows and attractive furnishings, nursing work stations, glass conference rooms and guest waiting areas. ETMC Tyler will grow to a total of 536 beds with the new units. The two units that previously housed these patients (3-South and 6-South) will be used for overflow and also will be renovated in the future.
Positive outcomes of expansion
The positive outcomes of the expansion will include reduced congestion in ETMC Tyler’s Level I Trauma Center as emergency patients are admitted to inpatient care, as well as increased overall capability to accept patient transfers from ETMC’s regional network of hospitals and additional referring physicians and healthcare facilities. Most importantly, the all-private rooms themselves will be state-of-the-art, with large windows, comfortable furnishings and a separate couch/bed for the patient’s guest.
A seventh floor – with a lantern tower top – was also added to the hospital to house mechanical equipment. In addition to the main facility expansion, a new multi-level $20 million parking garage is under construction on Hospital Drive to help meet current and future parking needs. The skywalk is also being extended to reach the new garage. This project is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2010.
Key firms involved in the construction project are Hammel, Green & Abrahamson – Architects, Engineers and Planners of Minneapolis, MN; Nori Umemoto Design Associates of San Jose, CA; and Vaughn Construction of Houston/College Station.
Originally posted January 12 2010
