- January 17, 2025
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Lincoln Maynard, radiation therapist at AdventHealth Palm Coast, speaks about the TrueBeam radiation machine. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The Freytag Cancer Center and Health Plaza spans 30,000 square feet. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Audrey Gregory, executive vice president and CEO for AdventHealth East Florida Division. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Denyse Bales-Chubb, president and CEO at AdventHealth Palm Coast. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Lisa Bordis, senior manager of volunteer services, speaks about the new cancer boutique. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Radiation Oncologist Dr. Irfan Ahmed. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Radiologists showcase the cancer center's new Halcyon radiation machine. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Dr. Tanam Ahmed speaks about primary care at the Freytag Cancer Center. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute oncologists Dr. Eric Gershman, Dr. Padmaja Sai and Dr. Kerwin Cumberbatch. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation Director John Subers speaks about the Hope Wall inside the Freytag Cancer Center. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
As Flagler County continues to grow, so does AdventHealth Palm Coast.
The hospital celebrated the grand opening of its $30 million Freytag Cancer Center and Health Plaza on Thursday, Jan. 16. The two-story facility spans 30,000 square feet, giving room for new technology that doctors say will allow locals to receive specialized cancer treatment services without leaving their community.
"Flagler County is one of the fastest growing areas in Florida, and with growth comes the responsibility of being able to expand access to cancer care," said Audrey Gregory, executive vice president and CEO for AdventHealth East Florida Division. "It is important for us at AdventHealth to keep our patients who need cancer treatment close to home. Cancer is hard enough without being away from your support system."
AdventHealth broke ground on the facility at 1 Memorial Medical Parkway in October 2023. Named in honor of Palm Coast residents and AdventHealth Foundation philanthropists Peter and Sue Freytag, the cancer center offers radiation oncology and medical oncology, as well as primary care physician offices, which Gregory said is one of the main needs she often hears from the community.
"We now have the ability with this facility to further grow our primary care services in the community," Gregory said. "This is a great need as the number of Flagler County residents continue to grow."
The Freytag Cancer Center is a huge milestone for Adventhealth's mission to expand access to high-quality care, said Denyse Bales-Chubb, president and CEO at AdventHealth Palm Coast.
"Flagler County residents no longer need to travel to receive world-class care," she said. "It is just right here."
The project wouldn't have been possible without the support of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation, who donated $4 million for the cancer center, Bales-Chubb said.
The building also houses the Judith C. Macko Cancer Resource Center, where cancer patients can be fitted with free wigs and receive specialized clothing items to help them as they receive treatment. The boutique is funded through the Foundation.
"What makes us really, really special, is that our volunteers are the ones that help them," said Lisa Bordis, senior manager of volunteer services.
The cancer center houses two radiation machines: the TrueBeam, and the Halcyon, which is the newest addition.
Medical oncologists with the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute will work out of the cancer center to treat patients. Dr. Padmaja Sai, who serves as the medical director for Cancer Care Services, said the need for expanded, personalized cancer treatments has expanded along with Flagler County's population.
"This new facility marks a new chapter in the fight against cancer in this community because we are providing personalized treatments, groundbreaking research and a team that never stops asking, 'What more can we do to help the patients?'"
