Auburn hospital gets $2M in federal spending bill for cancer center equipment

The spending bill that Congress poised to approve this week includes $2 million for Auburn Community Hospital. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer advocated for the funding, some of which will be used to buy a PET-CT scanner for the hospital’s cancer center. The hospital held a groundbreaking ceremony this month for the $15 million cancer center, which is scheduled to open in 2024.

“Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Cayuga County and this new center will be a one-stop shop to help patients get the top-notch care they need in their own community,” Schumer said. “I am proud to deliver this funding to Auburn Community Hospital so that our doctors can have the support they need and the people of Cayuga County can have the cancer treatment center they have long needed and deserved.”

The federal funding will support other infrastructure investments, including the addition of parking spots to accommodate cancer center patients.

Scott Berlucchi, president and CEO of Auburn Community Hospital, welcomed the federal assistance. “This funding will allow ACH to purchase state-of-the-art medical technology and make building improvements that will support our new cancer center,” Berlucchi said. “The new cancer center will provide necessary care for the leading cause of premature death in Cayuga County. The center will provide essential care for the local community that they would otherwise have to travel long distances for and will increase employment.”

‘World-class medicine’: Construction starts on Auburn hospital’s cancer center

AUBURN — Officials from Auburn, Cayuga County and the Syracuse area came together Tuesday to celebrate the start of construction for Auburn Community Hospital.

“This funding will allow ACH to purchase state-of-the-art medical technology and make building improvements that will support our new cancer center,” Berlucchi said. “The new cancer center will provide necessary care for the leading cause of premature death in Cayuga County. The center will provide essential care for the local community that they would otherwise have to travel long distances for and will increase employment.”