Ilsa Minor | Daily Press Father Robb Jurkovich, chaplain at OSF St. Francis Hospital, blesses the grounds that will soon be home to the OSF HealthCare Daniel J. Kobasic Cancer Clinic during an unveiling ceremony Friday afternoon.

ESCANABA — OSF HealthCare St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group unveiled plans for a new facility to support cancer services during a ceremony Friday.

The OSF HealthCare Daniel J. Kobasic Cancer Clinic will relocate oncology services from its current location within the hospital’s Medical Office Building to a new larger, separate facility on the hospital campus. The building will be located near the emergency and walk-in clinic entrances, at the site of the hospital’s former dialysis treatment center.

Earlier this year, OSF St. Francis was awarded $1.5 million in federal funds through a government funding bill that U.S. Senator Gary Peters helped pass into law.

“OSF St. Francis plays a critical role in ensuring residents and families from across the region can access the medical care they need,” said Senator Peters, who did not attend Friday’s ceremony, in a press release. “That’s why I was proud to help secure federal funding to establish this new facility – which will help OSF St. Francis meet its growing demand for cancer care and expand – as well as enhance – services available to patients.”

Through Peters’ support, the funding became the basis for the project, allowing the OSF HealthCare Foundation to move forward with a capital fundraising campaign, during which a gift of $1 million was made by the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation.

“It is our great pleasure to be able to provide this wonderful gift in support of improved and expanded oncology care resources in loving memory of Daniel Kobasic,” said Krystal Kobasic, chairwoman of the board of the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation. “The quality of care and dedication of OSF and Green Bay Oncology is unparalleled. The community deserves this and so much more.”

The relocation of oncology services from its current location within the Medical Office Building will provide additional space and enhanced services for patients facing a cancer diagnosis.

“We are very appreciative to Senator Peters for his support as well as incredibly grateful to the Kobasic family for their generosity,” said Kelly Jefferson, president of OSF St. Francis. “This project will allow us to provide a heightened level of oncology services for the community that will help our patients not only survive but thrive.”

Oncology services at OSF St. Francis are provided through a collaboration between OSF and Green Bay Oncology, a relationship that has served the local community since 1994.

“Throughout our relationship with OSF, our services and the need for oncology services have grown significantly over the years,” said Brian Burnette, MD, oncology and hematology specialist with Green Bay Oncology. “Within the past five years alone, the number of patient visits has nearly doubled. Finding sufficient space to provide and grow those services has been challenging. With generous support, we are now able to expand on our strengths and continue providing the highest quality care for the patients we serve.”

Jefferson highlighted the importance of Peter’s and the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation’s support.

“We are truly grateful to Senator Peters and the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation for their commitment to Delta County and the patients we serve,” said Jefferson. “Their support will allow us to move forward on this much needed project that will benefit our community.”