Hospitals Celebrate Groundbreaking and Construction of The Nathaniel D. Yingling, M.D. Cancer Center
Residents of Clearfield and surrounding communities are one step closer to having comprehensive cancer care in their hometown.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on October 26, 2005 for The Dr. Nathaniel D. Yingling Cancer Center, a joint venture of Clearfield Hospital and DuBois Regional Medical Center. "This is an exciting time for the Clearfield community, which has generously contributed to this center. Today we start the final leg of a journey that began more than seven years ago. Through our collaboration with DRMC, we will now be able to realize the vision of providing complete cancer care where our community needs it-- close to home," said Robert Murray III, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clearfield Hospital.
The new building, located at the corner of McBride Street and Doctors' Drive near the Clearfield Hospital, is named in honor of the late Dr. Nathaniel D. Yingling.
Dr. Nathaniel D. "Rip" Yingling, physician and surgeon, began his practice in November 1949. He began his medical career as an assistant to Dr. J. Hayes Woolridge, Sr., before going into 35 years of private practice. Dr. Yingling was Chief of Surgery from 1958 until 1980. He and his wife, Ruth Howe Yingling, were the parents of five sons. One of their sons, Dr. Douglas B. Yingling, took over his father's surgical practice in 1983 and continues the family tradition. Dr. Douglas B. Yingling is currently Chief of Surgery at Clearfield Hospital.
Dr. Nathaniel D. Yingling retired in October 1986 and died on November 18, 1998, at the age of 75.
The Dr. Nathaniel D. Yingling Cancer Center will house Clearfield Hospital's current medical oncology (chemotherapy) program. This state-of-the-art program is directed by Dr. Amer Khouri, board certified oncologist. Other clinicians on the medical oncology team will join Dr. Khouri at the new location.
The Cancer Center will also provide a new service to the Clearfield area, radiation oncology. This service is being offered through an affiliation with Hahne Regional Cancer Center. Radiation oncologist Dr. Joseph Pedersen of Hahne will serve as medical director of the Clearfield site's radiation oncology service.
"DRMC is proud to be working with Clearfield Hospital to bring comprehensive cancer care to the Clearfield region. Both medical facilities share the same mission of providing high quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve, and through this successful collaboration, we will provide a much-needed service to a deserving community," stated Raymond A. Graeca, DRMC President.
County National Bank is financing the project. KTH Architects of DuBois designed the building; Hallstrom Construction Inc. of DuBois is the general contractor.
The Cancer Center is scheduled to open in 2006.
Ruth Yingling, wife of the late Dr. Nathaniel D. Yingling, unveils the sign to start the groundbreaking ceremonies.
Dr. Douglas Yingling, son of Dr. Nathaniel D. Yingling and Chief of Surgery at Clearfield Hospital, speaks at the groundbreaking.
Mrs. YIngling speaks at the groundbreaking.
Various members of the Yingling family, including Dr. Yingling's children and grandchildren, were present for the groundbreaking.
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Construction underway on Nathaniel D. Yingling, M.D., Cancer Center