Memorial Sloan Kettering Opens New Long Island Cancer Facility

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is officially opening a new facility in Uniondale at the Nassau Hub. The 114,000-square-foot facility is located on Hempstead Turnpike, and is replacing the center's current facility in Rockville Centre.

The facility will officially open on April 8, and will have 180 medical and professional staff dedicated to patients. All of the staff from MSK's Rockville Centre facility, which was located at Mercy Medical Center, will be transferred to the new Uniondale facility, which is much larger. The Mercy facility, which has been in operation since 1997, was 25,000 square feet.

“MSK Nassau represents the future of cancer care for Long Island,” said Dr. Craig B. Thompson, president and CEO of MSK. “This state-of-the-art freestanding facility exemplifies the spirit of MSK and the expertise of our caregivers, and we believe that patients will find it warm and welcoming. We’re honored to be part of the Uniondale community, and thank our neighbors for their enthusiastic support.”

The new facility is designed so that Long Islanders can get much of their pre- and post-surgery care without having to make a trip to Manhattan. The facility will have nearly every aspect of MSK outpatient cancer car, including chemotherapy and blood transfusions, radiation therapy, radiology and screening services, and follow-up care. There is also a full-sized rehabilitation suite for patients, which has physical and occupational therapsists and a rehabilitation doctor.

Patients at the new Long Island facility will also have access to MSK's clinical trials program including early-stage studies of novel targeted anticancer drugs. The facility also has state-of-the-art equipment to help diagnose, monitor and treat cancer.

MSK says the facility has also been designed with patient care and comfort in mind. Amenities in the infusion suite, where chemotherapy is delivered, include chair-side technology, which gives patients control over the lighting and temperature in their area, in addition to access to cable TV, Internet and educational videos produced by MSK. The first- and second-floor waiting areas feature floor-to-ceiling windows for natural light, game tables and private seating, in addition to carefully curated artwork, some of which depicts Long Island landscapes and covers entire walls. MSK Nassau also features a community art gallery, with artwork on loan from Long Island artists. There is also a hospital-based food pantry to help patients who are in active treatment make sure they are not going hungry.

MSK also plans to work with community organizations to address cancer-related health needs through outreach, education and various health advocacy initiatives. Patients, community members and those interested in cancer education and prevention can participate in special on-site events held throughout the year, including a free farmers market and nutrition workshop on April 24.