CLEARWATER, Fla., (March 30, 2010) – In a continuing effort to provide advanced medical technology and expanded cancer diagnostic and care services, Morton Plant Hospital broke ground today on the new Axelrod Pavilion.

“By creating a new outpatient center on the Morton Plant Hospital campus, we will be able to better centralize certain imaging and diagnostic procedures while providing more space for our comprehensive breast health services,” said Hal Ziecheck, chief operating officer, Morton Plant Hospital.

The Axelrod Pavilion is named for Shirley and Harvey Axelrod in recognition of Mrs. Axelrod’s generous support of the Morton Plant Mease Foundation. “We are so grateful to Mrs. Axelrod for her commitment to improving the health of the community and are honored that she has chosen to recognize her late husband in this way,” said Ziecheck.

Encompassing 103,500 square-feet, the four-story building will be the new home for an expanded Susan Cheek Needler Breast Center. The Susan Cheek Needler Breast Center provides patient-focused, expedited diagnostic breast imaging and intervention services while focusing on each woman’s physical and emotional needs.

The Carlisle Imaging Center will relocate into the Axelrod Pavilion and continue to provide a full range of imaging exams including Diagnostic X-ray, MRI, PET/CT, Ultrasound, DEXA and Mammography. The Axelrod Pavilion will also be home to the Comprehensive Breast Care Center of Tampa Bay, featuring surgical oncologists Dr. Peter Blumencranz and Dr. Kathleen Allen who specialize in the treatment of breast cancer. In addition, the building will also house the offices of other oncology physicians.

“The new Axelrod Pavilion will give patients more convenient access to imaging services in a centralized location,” said Ziecheck.

An oncology resource library will be included in the Axelrod Pavilion as well as support by the Cancer Patient Support Services (CaPSS) at Morton Plant Hospital. CaPSS provides cancer patients and their families access to counselors, support groups and education in effective coping skills. A nurse navigator will also be located in the building to help guide patients and their families through the cancer treatment process.

The Axelrod Pavilion is slated to be complete in May 2011.

The architect for the project is HKS Architects, Inc. of Orlando, FL. The contractor is Creative Contractors Inc. of Clearwater, FL.

For more information, please call (727) 953-9131.

About Morton Plant Hospital
Established in 1916, Morton Plant Hospital is a 687-bed facility. Our commitment to improving the health of everyone we serve is reflected in our community partnerships and many honors. Morton Plant is the only hospital in the United States to have been awarded Top 100 Hospital designations by the Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals: National Benchmarks for Success for all 10 years. Morton Plant also has partnered with H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute at the University of South Florida, Tampa to provide research and services for cancer patients. In 2008, the hospital was awarded Magnet Designation for the second time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the most prestigious national recognition of excellence in nursing care. Morton Plant Hospital is located at 300 Pinellas Street, Clearwater, Fla.