EAST STROUDSBURG -- People in the Poconos diagnosed with cancer now have a new place to receive treatment.
Pocono Medical Center's new cancer facility in East Stroudsburg is open. It's called the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center.
It's taken crews a year and a half to build the new state of the art cancer treatment facility.
The center's medical director said now cancer patients don't have to be transported throughout the hospital for care.
"It's really one-stop shopping underneath one roof with surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, imaging," said Dr. Michael Greenberg.
Pocono Medical Center officials gave Newswatch 16 a tour of the new facility while crews were busy putting in the final touches.
We caught one worker setting up a radiation therapy machine inside one of the rooms, making sure everything is ready for cancer patients receiving treatment.
The medical director of the cancer center said the center is needed, especially in Monroe County.
"Pennsylvania has one of the highest cancer rates in the nation and Northeastern Pennsylvania is one of the highest in Pennsylvania. The leading cause of death in Monroe County is cancer," said Dr. Greenberg.
When hospital officials asked patients what they wanted to see in the new cancer center, the patients said they wanted a more calming and tranquil environment. The center is painted in blues and greens and has fireplaces and fountains throughout.
"You don't feel like you're walking into a dungeon. It makes you feel calm and you're special," said Lucy Stanovick, a cancer patient.
The Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center is celebrating its grand opening on Thursday, June 21 at 5 p.m.
The public is invited and tours of the facility will be offered.