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Franciscan Health Crown Point has initiated construction on The Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center. The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Monday, included a blessing by The Most Rev. Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary.
The project received significant support from a $30 million donation made in November 2023 by The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. This donation marks the largest gift ever received by the Franciscan Health Foundation.
"Health and wellness is one of the main focuses for our Foundation,” said Bill Hanna, executive director of The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. “The Cancer Center will add another asset for Northwest Indiana citizens when they need it most. Our continued strategic partnerships with organizations like Franciscan and the Crossroads YMCA will not only expand access to high quality direct healthcare but will position the residents of Northwest Indiana to be empowered to live healthier lives.”
The new cancer center, spanning 71,000 square feet over three stories, is being built by Tonn and Blank Construction at the southeast corner of Interstate 65 and U.S. 231. It is located on the campus of the new Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital that opened in January 2024. This facility aims to consolidate existing cancer care services into one location.
“Franciscan is grateful to The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation for their partnership with our healthcare ministry to improve the health status of the residents of Lake County and Northwest Indiana through their visionary work with the YMCA and now cancer care,” said Franciscan Health Crown Point President and CEO Daniel McCormick, MD. “With this cancer center, our goal is to provide convenient cancer screenings, early diagnosis and treatment, including important clinical trials, advanced surgical expertise and radiation therapies in a beautiful and convenient location."
“Providing kind, considerate and well-connected care throughout a family’s journey through oncology treatment and recovery lives our mission out loud and we are very pleased to have such an aligned partner in the White family.”
Scheduled to open in early 2027, the new cancer center will offer state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and treatment services aimed at caring for patients holistically—body, mind, and spirit.
