Cincinnati-based Mercy Health’s—Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky., has entered the second phase of its efforts to establish radiation therapy at the Paducah Cancer Center. The system worked to obtain a radiation therapy certificate of need for more than a decade.
The system marked the occasion with a March 28 groundbreaking ceremony, according to a Bon Secours Mercy Health news release shared with Becker’s.
Construction is slated for completion by the second quarter of 2026, the release said.
Mercy Health—Lourdes Hospital’s President Mike Yungmann and its Director of Oncology John Montville spoke with Becker’s about the work it took to reach this milestone and how radiation therapy is set to transform healthcare in the region.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: Mercy Health—Lourdes Hospital worked for nearly a decade to secure approval for radiation oncology services. Can you walk us through some of the biggest challenges you faced in obtaining the certificate of need and what ultimately made this approval possible?
Mike Yungmann: The effort to secure a Kentucky certificate of need actually includes two distinct efforts spanning more than 13 years. Our most recent, successful endeavor took approximately seven years from selecting legal counsel to attaining ultimate approval through the Commonwealth’s court system.
The greatest challenge was combatting unrelenting opposition every step of the process all the way to the Kentucky State Supreme Court. Three key factors contribute to a successful conclusion.
The first was creating a shared vision and assembling the internal talent for crafting a strong CON application and strategy. Second, selecting legal counsel who not only possessed the expertise to guide the process but also embraced our Mission and shared our passion to provide comprehensive cancer care for our very worthy community. The third component that made this vision a reality is the unwavering commitment by our Bon Secours Mercy Health leadership to commit the resources necessary for us to bring our quest to fruition. Everyone recognized the need, believed in our Mission and possessed the faith and resolve to stay the course.
Q: What lessons or insights can you share with other hospital leaders who may be navigating the same challenges?
MY: Be clear on your vision, and be certain that you have the necessary talent, experience and shared commitment to endure the arduous and lengthy process. Extraordinary results require extraordinary efforts.
Q: How will radiation therapy services change the local healthcare landscape for cancer patients and their families?
John Montville: We provide cancer care services in an area with high cancer incidence rates and many challenges relating to both the actual cancer treatment, including transportation in a very large geographic footprint, and lots of ancillary and integrative needs for oncology patients beyond just high-quality care.
There is a great need for more highly specialized cancer care services, including modern, state-of-the-art radiation oncology services. The ability to get high-quality cancer care locally is so important for both patient experience and the ability for patients to maintain the treatment plan outlined by their oncology provider.
Q: Can you elaborate on how having all aspects of cancer care under one roof will improve patient outcomes and the overall experience of care?
JM: It is always advantageous to have all three of the key cancer treatments; medical oncology, surgical oncology, and radiation oncology; within the same “umbrella” of care. This creates a more convenient and cohesive treatment environment that improves provider communications and patient experience.
Patients are already overwhelmed by a cancer diagnosis, and we need to do everything we can to help alleviate these burdens — which includes a level of stability and comfort that can only be maintained by having care in one environment. Additionally, important diagnostic and treatment planning activities, such as a multidisciplinary team review of cancer cases, creates a better continuum of care when all of the providers and other caregivers are within the same group and facility.
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