By LORI TUCKER
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - University of Tennessee Medical Center's new state-of-the-art cancer institute is already seeing patients, even though its grand opening isn't until October 16.
The $25 million facility has been under construction for a year.
On a tour, Cancer Institute Vice President Renee Hawk showed 6 News the soothing, earthy colors of furnishings, from chairs to lighting to carpet throughout.
The first floor features a cafe, a special boutique for cancer patients and a multi-lighted ribbon sculpture, which is meant to symbolize all types of cancer.
"When it's complete, we can light it each month for the different awareness months," said Hawk. "So we're looking forward to getting that finished."
There are private areas where patients can talk over their diagnosis with their doctor and a built-in aquarium in one waiting room.
Special attention is focused on the chemotherapy area. Patients like Shirley McReynolds appreciate the beauty and the technology.
"I love the new building, I do, " she said, while undergoing a round of chemotherapy. "They teach us a whole lot. They have excellent information."
Hawk said to look for a continued innovative approach to treating cancer.
"We just put in a new PET CT, the latest and greatest," Hawk said. "Then when we bring in our radiation oncology facility, we'll be introducing some new technology to the region."
Special attention is focused on the chemotherapy area.
A multi-lighted ribbon sculpture can change color, representing different types of cancer.
