A Letter From the Director of the Cancer Institute

Welcome to the Cancer Institute

The Cancer Institute facility brings all outpatient cancer services under one roof with convenient parking, just steps away from the covered entrance.

As the largest provider of cancer care in East Tennessee, we offer the latest treatments and techniques, such as:

  • Medical oncology
  • Surgical oncology
  • Radiation oncology
  • Gynecologic oncology
  • Chemotherapy
  • Supportive and integrative services
  • Breast imaging
  • Diagnostic procedures

While a building is made of bricks and mortar, this facility with physicians and other caregivers provides hope to our community of patients and families we serve. The efforts of the Cancer Institute support the medical center’s three-pronged mission of healing, education and discovery.

Healing

As the leading organization of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research in our region, the Cancer Institute is serving the increase in new cancer cases by providing expanded facilities and access to physicians. Our staff is capable of handling these volumes utilizing the latest in cancer diagnostic imaging and treatment as well as offering survivorship clinics and integrative therapies to meet the needs of the whole person.

The Cancer Institute works through our cancer specialists and multidisciplinary teams to provide each patient with a personalized care plan to meet all of their needs. Our dedicated cancer specialists are board certified and supported by a team including nurses, pharmacists, technicians, social workers, dieticians, chaplains, massage therapists and other health professionals.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center Cancer Institute provides an environment fostering healing with advanced technologies and treatments including CyberKnife radiosurgery, TrueBeam, isolated limb infusion, intraperotineal chemotherapy, clinical trials, and other therapies.

Education

As part of our mission, the Cancer Institute educates both medical professionals and the public by offering education and early detection programs. As an academic medical center, we are obligated to develop accredited educational programs which recruit, educate and retain caregivers at all levels—including physicians, nurses, technologists, support staff and students. Many of these professionals would have to leave the region and obtain training elsewhere were it not for The University of Tennessee Medical Center. For cancer patients, this means being cared for by staff that has both the responsibility and skill to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center, through the Cancer Institute, collaborates with city and state health departments, community partners and East Tennessee-based coalitions to assess and monitor the needs of local residents concerning cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment access. Evidence-based outreach programs are offered in the community. These programs are designed to eliminate disparities, educate diverse populations, and strengthen cancer prevention strategies to the under-served populations.

Discovery

Research is the cornerstone of knowledge at the Cancer Institute. Our vision is to accelerate research advances related to cancer and improve our ability to translate these discoveries into the most appropriate care for our patients.

Today, we offer more clinical trials at different levels of specificity, for more types of cancer than one can find anywhere in our region. Our patients have access to the latest drug developments and medications capable of improving quality and duration of life.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center has held true to its mission of healing, education and discovery—and we have adopted up-to-date, sophisticated strategies to meet the needs of our community. As healthcare changes and the needs of the population grow, the Medical Center has responded to the community by expanding into the new Cancer Institute facility and refining our focus and research on patient care and appropriate treatment options.

With warmest regards,

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John L. Bell, MD
Director, Cancer Institute