When Austin Cancer Centers was looking to expand, the need of the area's population was one of the driving forces for opening a location in Lakeway.

"We looked at the growth in the area and noticed this was a very underserved medical need out here," said Dr. Allison Gorrebeeck, one of two medical oncologists at the center. "We had several patients that were driving to our North Austin location from out here. That's a long trip when you're getting chemotherapy, you don't feel well and you're in the car. Radiation patients, they have to go every day."

The center became fully operational March 1, and Gorrebeeck said the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.

The facility, located next to Lakeway Regional Medical Center, is also installing radiation equipment that should be completely online in 2014, she said.

Gorrebeeck and Dr. Brian Shimkus are board-certified in medical oncology as well as in hematology, which means the center also performs infusions for blood disorders and works with patients being tested for anemia or sickle cell diseases.

"It's an exciting time for the Lakeway community because their medical services are expanding rapidly. That's good. That's good for the patients," Gorrebeeck said.

Austin Cancer Centers–Lakeway, 200 Medical Parkway, 512-505-5500, 855-334-5500, www.austincancercenters.com, Twitter: @austincancer