SMH Oncology Tower Opens; Dick Vitale Among First Patients
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's $193 million Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute Oncology Tower opened this week, with legendary basketball coach, sportscaster and philanthropist among the first patients admitted to a room for treatment. The eight-story, 170,00-square-foot tower features a dedicated entrance, lobby and reception areas; 56 private suites for hospitalized cancer patients; nine state-of-the-art operating rooms with new robotic capabilities; integrative services for patients based on cancer type, including counseling; education and clinical conference centers; and a rooftop cafe.
I just arrived at the Sarasorata Memorial Hospital brand new Brian D. Jellison Oncology Center where I am getting ready for my day of chemotherapy. The Staff is so cordial / keep those🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏coming baby! pic.twitter.com/jsNAAlaRA2
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) November 16, 2021
Vitale and each of the first patients admitted to the tower participated in their own personal “ribbon-cutting” at the new facility, where Vitale was scheduled to have his fourth chemotherapy treatment. He has been documenting his lymphoma diagnosis and treatment with his followers on his Twitter account and other social media platforms.