On Monday, UPMC Chautauqua officials hosted an open house for the new Hillman Cancer Center, located at 207 Foote Ave., Jamestown. The new center on the third floor of the hospital offers area residents access to one of the largest, most comprehensive cancer networks in the country.

Stephanie Dutton, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center vice president, said the nearly $2 million renovation project opened last month and will provide full-time medical oncology access to local residents. She said the new center will provide local residents with medical oncology services they had to travel out of the area to receive before.

“We had around 50 patients who were going to Erie that now will be able to have the opportunity to stay in Jamestown,” she said.

According to a news release from UPMC, there are more than 60 UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers also located throughout western and central Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, including multiple centers or partnerships internationally.

UPMC Chautauqua officials with the service dog for the new Hillman Cancer Center. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

“While the flagship Hillman Cancer Center is in Pittsburgh, all the Hillman Cancer Centers are connected through clinical pathways so that the care provided at any center will mirror the care received in Pittsburgh,” said Brian Durniok, UPMC Chautauqua president. “Hillman is the region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing patients with access to breakthrough research, and leading-edge therapies, right in their backyard.”

Patients at any Hillman Cancer Center throughout the network have access to groundbreaking research going on at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center as well as access to more than 600 clinical trials.

“Zulfiqar Hussain, M.D. sees patients on a weekly basis,” said Kathy Canter, the center’s manager. “Our staff includes four oncology-trained nurses and a certified nurse practitioner.”

Hussain told The Post-Journal the center is getting busier since it opened at the start of October. He said at first they were only seeing two to three patients, but by next week they will be examining around 10 patients.

The center has four exam rooms and 12 treatment chairs for chemotherapy infusions and injections. Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“The greatest advantage of the new cancer center is that patients can receive their treatment in one place — chemotherapy, lab work, office visits with cancer specialists.,” Canter said.