Lillibridge helps physician group develop needed facility in Decatur IL

CHICAGO and DECATUR, Ill., April 21, 2010 - A handy acronym for the new Cancer Care Center of Decatur could be the "CCC." But that abbreviation could just as fittingly stand for "consolidation, convenience and cost savings." The physician-driven project achieved all of those objectives with the help of Lillibridge's healthcare real estate development experience and leadership.

 Consolidation. The new one-story, 55,400 square foot Cancer Care Center of Decatur replaces a much smaller building about one-half mile away. But Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois SC had not only outgrown its old facility, the managers of the medical practice wanted to include services that were previously scattered among other locations. The new building meets that objective by putting a more complete range of cancer research, detection and treatment services under one roof. The center offers medical oncology/ hematology, radiation oncology, diagnostic medical imaging, cancer research and complementary medicine. It includes 40 infusion chairs, including 6 private treatment rooms. In addition to Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, the Cancer Care Center of Decatur is the new home of the Decatur Memorial Hospital (DMH) Cancer Care Institute and its Clinical Research Department, with its capacity to implement more than 120 research studies spanning new drug development to enhanced quality of life.

 Convenience. The Cancer Care Center of Decatur was designed specifically to enhance the patient experience and to provider greater access for patients, families, caregivers and the community. The conveniently located facility is situated on 6.5 acres at 210 W. McKinley Ave., at the northeast corner of McKinley Avenue and Union Street, across the street from the DMH campus. "No other cancer center in Central Illinois offers such a full range of care for those afflicted with cancer in our region," says Dr. James L. Wade III, M.D., FACP. Dr. Wade is President of Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, Medical Director of DMH Cancer Care Institute and is one of the 12 physicians who comprise Baker's Dozen LLC, the physician partnership that owns the property.

 Cost savings. Although the physician group and the hospital had been discussing the cancer care center idea for some time, it took the involvement of Lillibridge to get the project off the ground. In part, that was because the Chicago-based developer was able to use its more than 30 years of healthcare real estate expertise to help its client, Baker's Dozen LLC, to reduce construction costs.

For example, Lillibridge worked with the architect and contractor - Architectural Expressions LLP and Core Construction, both of Decatur - to source high-density concrete blocks to enclose the building's two linear accelerators. That trimmed costs in two ways. First, the engineered blocks were a less expensive yet equally effective radiation shielding material than poured concrete. Second, they didn't require as much space, which reduced the building's total square footage - and cost. The blocks also provide greater flexibility for possible future changes to the facility, which opened in November.

In addition to delivering on "the three Cs" of consolidation, convenience and cost savings, Lillibridge managed the rest of the development process from start to finish. The firm even helped to structure the lease between the hospital and the owners. Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois occupies about 55 percent of the space and DMH leases the balance.

DHM's positive relationship with Lillibridge - the company acquired a portfolio of 13 properties from the hospital in early 2009 and manages those assets along with 19 other DHM facilities - was what prompted its leadership to recommend the firm to Baker's Dozen LLC.

"When our management team felt it was time to consider getting out of the real estate business, we needed an expert opinion about our market, strategies, policies, operations and economics," DMH Chief Operating Officer Tim Stone explains. "Lillibridge gave us that and their expertise was invaluable. And when a developer was needed for the new cancer care center, I was sure that with their many years of experience in all aspects of healthcare real estate Lillibridge was a great fit for the project."

"Lillibridge was instrumental in bringing the stakeholders involved in the Cancer Care Center of Decatur together, and they provided a development process and focus so we could start the project in a timely manner," Dr. Wade adds.

"We have had the opportunity to work for DMH in a range of capacities in recent years - advisory services, capital funding, facility development and property management," says John Montgomery, Executive Vice President, Facility Development, for Lillibridge. "On the strength of that relationship, DMH felt very confident in recommending us to Dr. Wade and the Bakers Dozen physicians. The physician group saw and understood the unique development prospective Lillibridge brought to the table for their project."

About Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois SC

Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois SC is dedicated to providing quality medical oncology, hematology, and radiation oncology services in central and south-central Illinois. Nationally recognized, our outstanding medical and support staff provide superior service to patients and their families. Patients receive personalized, comprehensive care using state-of-the-art equipment and treatment methods. In addition, CCSCI is affiliated with several National Cancer Institute supported research organizations which provide advanced research and treatment opportunities. For more information, please visit www.cancercarespecialists.org.

About Decatur Memorial Hospital

Decatur Memorial Hospital (DMH) is a not-for-profit hospital that has been providing medical care since 1916, for the residents of Central Illinois. DMH encompasses twelve state-of-the-art Centers of Excellence which focus on the cutting edge of medicine today and provides the community with award-winning quality health care. By combining a highly trained staff of professionals with the latest advancements in technology, DMH furthers its mission of improving the health of the people of Central Illinois. For more information, please visit www.dmhcares.org.