Topped Off New Memorial Cancer Institute in Pembroke Pines

Expanding Memorial Healthcare System’s cancer services, the new, freestanding Memorial Cancer Institute held its groundbreaking ceremony five months ago. On April 27, community and elected leaders joined Memorial Healthcare System board of commissioners, executives, employees, patients, donors and DPR Construction in a Topping Off Ceremony, a long-standing tradition to commemorate the completion of a building's structure – specifically the placement of the final column.

To date, more than 200 workers from around the globe have dedicated more than 60,000 hours, using 11,660 cubic yards of concrete and 1,074 tons of steel to ensure the building is on track to open in 2023.

“Our new Memorial Cancer Institute complex will offer a serene environment that promotes healing and wellbeing and allows our program to expand world-class care right here in Pembroke Pines,” said Meredith Feinberg, vice president, Memorial Cancer Institute. “We’re building a new, beautiful and unique environment focused on offering advanced treatment options, a full range of cancer support services and innovative cancer research to more than 4,600 new patients every year.”

For the Topping Off Ceremony, dozens of staff and supporters signed stones and tossed them into a large concrete mixer to be melted into the final concrete column near the rooftop garden. A massive crane hoisted the concrete mixer, an American flag, and a native citrus tree for good luck to the top of the four-story building.

The new freestanding, 121,000+ sq. ft. facility will consolidate resources, including: radiation oncology, breast oncology, hematology-oncology, and Moffitt Malignant Hematology and Cellular Therapy at Memorial with a host of integrated services to maximize collaboration between specialists at what is already one of only five Cancer Centers of Excellence in Florida.

This project is made possible, in part, by Memorial Foundation and the support of its donors, including AutoNation and Randy King. “The Foundation is proud to support Memorial Cancer Institute’s building project and also extends its support to cancer research, oncology support services for patients and families who need it most, and the Graduate Medical Education program to ensure tomorrow’s oncology medical leaders,” Dr. Andrew Greenfield, Memorial Foundation Board Chair, said to more than 100 guests in attendance.

Speakers at the event also included Aurelio Fernandez, President and CEO, Memorial Healthcare System; Leah Carpenter, Executive Vice President and COO, Memorial Healthcare System; Dr. Luis Raez, Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director, Memorial Cancer Institute; Frank Ortis, Pembroke Pines Mayor; and Allen Greenspan, a patient of Memorial Cancer Institute.