The Aquilino Cancer Center at 10 Years: A Bright Future Ahead
The Shady Grove Aquilino Cancer Center changed cancer care in Montgomery County when it opened its doors in November 2013.
The Aquilino Cancer Center made history as the county’s first freestanding cancer center, allowing patients to receive all their treatments in one location.
“The center provides cutting edge, expert, compassionate care to all patients close to home without the need of accessing an academic medical center,” explained Mary Greenberg, vice president of Cancer Care Services at Adventist HealthCare.
Over the last decade, the relaxing and inviting center has grown its offerings of whole person care, focusing beyond just the physical treatment needed. Because cancer affects every aspect of someone’s life, wellness and support programs care for the mental and spiritual health of a patient throughout treatment and into survivorship.
How It Began
For the center’s benefactors, Michael Aquilino and his family, the Aquilino Cancer Center holds a special place in their hearts. Michael’s late wife, Tammie, battled cancer for two years at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center before her death in 2004. In appreciation for her care and recognizing the impact that their experience had on the family, Michael began supporting cancer services at Shady Grove Medical Center. In 2007, he contributed to a new oncology unit at the hospital and named a care suite in Tammie’s memory. Several years later, the hospital approached Michael and his wife, Amy, with the idea of opening a center where patients could receive comprehensive cancer care in one location. Knowing how difficult cancer treatment is for not only the patient but also for family members, Michael and Amy needed to be a part of the concept: a free-standing center that relieved some of the burden on patients and their caregivers.
Michael, Amy and Adventist HealthCare wanted residents managing cancer to spend more time at home with family and less time driving to appointments. The Aquilino Cancer Center was built to support healing, ensuring patients had timely treatment with state-of-the-art technology.
“The main purpose is for all of your care to be in one place to make patients’ lives easier,” Michael shared. “Having a place like the cancer center makes fighting the disease a little bit easier.”
“Cancer care extends beyond treatment,” Amy added. “It is part of your life, your whole life.”
What It’s Meant
Jenni BenBassett, a breast cancer survivor, was diagnosed in May 2021. She received treatment during the height of the pandemic. Although there were restrictions about visitors during appointments, her experience wasn’t affected.
“Everything was done for me,” Jenni said. “Appointments were scheduled, the nurse navigator contacted me within a couple of days and told me about all the great resources available. It was nice knowing I had such a good support system here.”
The services focus on life during and after cancer from limiting recurrence of the disease to understanding the proper way to care for your body and more. Monthly and weekly wellness classes and support groups connect patients and their loved ones to others who are experiencing a similar situation and learning how to navigate a cancer diagnosis. Wellness teams explain how to stay connected with physicians; review questions patients and caregivers should ask; teach the importance of exercise and calibrating it to the stages of treatment; and educate on how to properly fuel the body. These classes are free to patients and the community, thanks to the support of generous donors.
“It was a great experience meeting with them. They provided valuable information to make the adjustment to my new diet easier,” said Alex Davila, a colon cancer patient diagnosed in early 2023. He utilized support from the dietitian for assistance to adjust his vegan diet tor optimal nutrition during his chemotherapy treatment.
“The Aquilino Cancer Center is a place for patients to receive the treatment they need in a comfortable, healing environment,” said Syed Mahmood, MD, medical director at the Shady Grove Aquilino Cancer Center. “The relationships we’ve created at the center show how we have been able to transform cancer care for all patients, but especially Montgomery County. It’s a special place, and we’re excited for the future.”
Into the Future
When the center opened, Adventist HealthCare partnered with the physicians of Maryland Oncology Hematology, a leader in medical oncology. In October 2023, Adventist HealthCare and Maryland Oncology Hematology took their partnership one step further. Now, Maryland Oncology Hematology will also provide radiation oncology treatment for the center. The partnership mirrors one at the White Oak Cancer Center in Silver Spring, adjacent to Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center.
“Together, we are now the largest and most advanced radiation program in Montgomery County,” said Kashif Firozvi, MD, system medical director for cancer care services at Adventist HealthCare. “Giving patients access to radiation treatment that is more targeted offers decreased treatment times and lessens side effects, leading to the saving of healthy tissues and cells, and better results for those undergoing treatment.”
While continuing to provide state-of-the-art treatments and technology, the Bill Richards Center for Healing, a dedicated space on the third floor of the center, is transforming care beyond physical treatment with clinical trials by Sunstone Therapies using psilocybin treatments. The groundbreaking research is making the cancer center a leader in the therapy, bringing global recognition to the center.
“World-class healthcare is available to everyone at the Aquilino Cancer Center,” Michael said. “We have some of the best doctors in the country. It’s the crown jewel of cancer care in Montgomery County.”
Celebrate 10 years with a look back on the start of the center and where we’re heading as we continue to serve our community. View our anniversary video at AHCYOU.com/W24ACC10.
