April Sampson Cancer Center to Provide Leading-Edge, Progressive Cancer Care

Sampson Family Helps Centralize Cancer Care Under One Roof

Bryan Health will name its comprehensive community cancer center on the new Bryan South Campus the April Sampson Cancer Center, in honor of April Sampson, a Lincoln entrepreneur who bravely battled cancer throughout her life. A private groundbreaking and dedication event was held at the site last week to formally begin construction.

John Sampson, president of Sampson Construction and his daughter, Cori Vokoun and her husband, Dan Vokoun, both vice presidents at Sampson Construction donated nearly 29 acres of land near 40th and Rokeby Road in south Lincoln for development of the Bryan South Campus. Their wife and mother, April, lost her life after a battle with breast cancer five years ago.

“It was an honor to be approached by Bryan to consider this location for its comprehensive community cancer center and future medical services,” Cori Vokoun said. “This is a special piece of land to our family, and now it will become a special place to many families, families who are battling cancer, navigating care and finding hope. Knowing my mother’s name will be memorialized here, by Bryan Health, is very meaningful. I am certain she would be pleased we are doing something to help others facing the challenges our family did while navigating all that cancer care involves.”

Tremendous Care

“The doctors in Lincoln and Bryan Medical Center provided tremendous care for my late wife,” John Sampson said. “Yet, through her long battle we learned firsthand the many appointments, at many different locations, currently makes cancer care fragmented and hard on families. Having a cancer center where services are wrapped around a patient, eliminating much of the fragmentation that currently exists will be of great benefit to future families facing what ours did. Also, we have worked so closely with Bryan Health through the years on many projects. Being able to partner with Bryan, at this location that was so personally meaningful to April, is very gratifying.”

“This service has been something cancer patients have longed for in our region, and something we have been working towards for many years,” said Russ Gronewold, president and CEO, Bryan Health. “It is coming to fruition for two reasons. First, the tremendously talented medical staff from different specialties who are committed to patient centered care. The second is the generosity of John, Dan and Cori and many other individuals, foundations and area corporations. To receive more than $13 million in charitable gifts, almost exclusively during a global pandemic, is impressive and humbling. We are extraordinarily grateful to all that have supported this effort to date.”

Focus on Treatment and Care

In Nebraska, over 75,000 people require cancer treatment each year. A comprehensive community cancer center differs from National Cancer Institute (NCI) centers as the sole focus is on treatment and care personalized for patients. While comprehensive community cancer centers do not conduct bench research, they have access to clinical trials.

The physicians from Cancer Partners of Nebraska who will be located in the April Sampson Cancer Center are members of two prestigious major research networks: Alliance as an MD Anderson Cancer Center affiliate and ECOG-ACRIN.

“We are excited to be able to bring academic-level clinical trial options to our local community,” said Nathan Green, DO, medical oncologist at Cancer Partners of Nebraska. “These promising novel approaches to cancer care offer the most advanced treatment options for patients where opportunities were previously limited.”

The April Sampson Cancer Center will be located near 40th and Rokeby Road in south Lincoln just north of the future south beltway. The $45 million, 140,000 square foot facility is scheduled to open in 2023. The facility will offer advanced technology and treatment with a healing, comfortable environment. The approach to cancer treatment will honor the highest-quality, protocol-driven care available using a multi-disciplinary approach:

Treatment

• Clinical trials and new treatment options through EGOG-ACRIN and MD Anderson
• Treatment planning with evidence-based national guidelines
• Rehabilitation and therapy gym
• Precision genomic medicine
• Specialty pharmacy

Care

• Nurse navigators to guide care
• Palliative care services to ease discomfort and transitions
• Wig fitting and styling, breast prosthesis services and cancer-sensitive apparel
• Social workers
• Care monitoring and quality improvement

Counseling

• Genetics
• Mental health
• Spiritual care
• Financial
• Nutrition

For more information on the April Sampson Cancer Center, visit www.bryanhealth.org/new-cancer-center.