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The University of Texas MD Cancer Center will open its new outpatient clinic in The Woodlands in September 2019, MD Anderson Media Specialist Julie Penne said.


Located at the southwest corner of the intersection of College Park and Fellowship drives, construction on the three-story, 208,000-square-foot building, developed by The Howard Hughes Corp., began in June 2017. The clinic was previously projected to open in spring 2019.


MD Anderson Cancer Center has been offering services in The Woodlands since 2004 out of 45,000 square feet of space at CHI. St. Luke’s The Woodlands, just 3 miles down the road from the site of MD Anderson’s future home.


“Several years ago MD Anderson teams strategically evaluated how to best meet the needs of patients by considering a range of factors, from expected population growth to the financial implications of constructing new facilities,” Penne said. “After reviewing a number of options MD Anderson decided that it would be better positioned to achieve its mission by building permanent facilities that allowed for projected growth.”


Radiation, oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology and infusion therapy will all relocate from CHI St. Luke’s The Woodlands to the new facility once it opens in September 2019, Penne said. Supportive services, including laboratory, pharmacy, rehabilitation, pain management, nutrition, counseling, social work and genetic counseling, will also relocate to the new facility.


New diagnostic services that will be available once the new center opens include bronchoscopy, endoscopy and interventional radiology. The clinic will also offer a 17-bed postanesthesia care unit and a women’s imaging center with mammography and ultrasound services, a retail center for ordering breast prosthetics, and gathering rooms for the Breast Friends support group meetings and community education events.


Penne said while MD Anderson currently employs 100 faculty and staff members in The Woodlands, the clinic expects to double its employment upon the opening of the new facility in September.