Cedar Rapids—With a gift of $1 million to the Community Cancer Center of Iowa, Helen G. Nassif is once again making an investment in the future of healthcare in Cedar Rapids. Ms. Nassif’s gift will name the Community Cancer Center of Iowa and be located in the new Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa Medical Pavilion located in the MedQuarter Regional Medical District, which is scheduled to open in early 2013.

“All too often, cancer patients must visit different physicians or different locations within medical facilities to receive their care,” said Thomas Warren, MD, Community Cancer Center of Iowa physician leader and Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa medical oncologist. “The Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa is a patient-centric facility that provides patients with a continuum of comprehensive cancer care, from diagnosis to education to treatment and recovery, all in one location.”

“We are touched and deeply grateful to Helen Nassif for this amazing gift,” said Randy Easton, Chair of the Community Cancer Center Board of Trustees. “This gift will help the Center deliver high-quality, patient-centered cancer care and ensure Iowans will have convenient access to the most advanced cancer care available anywhere."

This gift builds on Ms. Nassif’s legacy of generosity to Cedar Rapids. Her prior gifts to the community include the Nassif Admissions House at Coe College, The Michael G. Nassif Education and Cultural Center at St. George Orthodox Church, and the Helen G. Nassif YMCA. At St. Luke’s Hospital the Nassif Heart Center, Helen G. Nassif Center for Women’s and Children’s Health and Helen G. Nassif Pavilion are the result of gifts from Ms. Nassif.

“I believe in the collaborative spirit between physicians and other providers working together for the patient.” said Ms. Nassif.  “It’s my hope that this Center can someday be a platform for all providers in Cedar Rapids to work together.”

Helen G. Nassif is a former Cedar Rapids resident now living in Rockville, Maryland. Ms. Nassif grew up in a house on B Avenue just a short distance from St. Luke’s. She attended Coe College and later went to George Washington Law School, in Washington, D.C. Ms. Nassif worked as a U.S. government lawyer for 32 years and was the first woman in the Washington, D.C., area to be named to a bank board of directors. She has served on the boards of several banks, as well as those of large corporations. Ms. Nassif has also been actively involved in commercial real estate as a builder and developer.

“The Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all patients and their families through its philosophy of physician-driven, patient-centered care.” said Ted Townsend, president and CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital. “Ms. Nassif’s gift comes at an important time for the Center as we work to redesign cancer care while the new medical pavilion is under construction and is a wonderful complement to the addition of a new intraoperative radiation oncology option for our community to be housed at St. Luke’s.”

Patients benefit from the experience and expertise of the Center’s team of doctors, nurses and support staff. Doctors at the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa work together to develop an individualized and comprehensive treatment plan for each patient that may include surgery, chemotherapy, a combination of treatments or surveillance.  The healthcare team is committed to meeting the needs and expectations of patients by offering comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, psychological support, supportive care and long-term, follow-up care.

“The Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa began after a group of local cancer experts from multiple specialties identified a need to improve the care of cancer patients through better coordination among healthcare providers,” said Dr. John Vander Zee, A. John Vander Zee, M.D., F.A.C.S.. “The support for a true community cancer center continued to build today Ms. Nassif’s generous gift helps us offer the only community cancer center where collaboration among physicians drives patient-centered care.”

More than 200 doctors, including Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, P.C. and St. Luke’s Hospital make up the Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa.  Cedar Rapids’ only physician-led Community Cancer Center is now welcoming patients. Call 877/242-4999 or go to communitycancercenter.org to learn more.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Corizzo, Helen G. Nassif Community Cancer Center of Iowa, 319/369-8372 or 319/560-2385.