Solinsky Center for Cancer is Open

Infusion bays at the Solinsky Center for Cancer Care. Courtesy photo.

The new Solinsky Center for Cancer Care at the Elliot at the main hospital campus in Manchester combines several facilities into one.

“People have to continue their cancer treatment program no matter what,” says Kelli Rafferty, director of philanthropy at Elliot Health Systems, a member of SolutionHealth. “We were able to safely continue the construction as the team and the subcontractors worked to open on time despite the pandemic.”

Rafferty says the 36,000-square-foot facility, which opened to patients on Aug. 3, is the result of years of planning to bring multiple treatment facilities under one roof, including oncology, radiology and surgical services from locations in Manchester, Londonderry and Hooksett. “Quite often patients would have to go between different locations,” she says. “Just think about how hard it is just to go from one point in Manchester to another.”

In the new facility, chemotherapy infusion bays are bright and airy. Patients can use privacy curtains or chat to fellow patients. “People receiving infusion build a community of support because they’re on the same schedule,” she says. “We also wanted it to be so light and bright because people are here for several hours. Now they can look out at the green space into the private garden.”

An onsite pharmacy and adjacent lab allow for rapid adjustment to treatment. “In addition to providing critical clinical care, medication and radiation, another important aspect of care is the patient navigators ... who guide people through their cancer journey, integrating their care with other needs such as rides, scheduling and help with nutrition,” says Rafferty.

Part of the $33 million project is being paid for with community support, and fundraising began shortly before the pandemic hit. “I am so humbled and grateful. We initially had a goal of $10 million, and we’re at more than $12 million,” she says.

The center is named in honor of Ken and Grace Solinsky, founders of Insight Technology in Londonderry. Additional support came from Robert Singer and the Singer family of Manchester, who own Merchants Fleet and Merchants Automotive Group in Hooksett. Robert’s son, Jordan, passed away at 28 after a five-year battle with cancer.