“According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.” – 1 Cor. 3:10-11
CROWN POINT – Franciscan Health Crown Point broke ground on Sept. 23 for The Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center with a blessing by Bishop Robert McClory, bishop of the Diocese of Gary. The project was made possible in part by a $30 million donation from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation in November 2023, the largest gift ever received by the Franciscan Health Foundation.
“The work we begin today should enliven our faith and make us grateful,” said the bishop as he offered a prayer and short address. Blessing those present and the grounds, he added. “As we bless this ground, we set it apart for the special purpose of healing for the body, mind and spirit.”
After a welcome by Cal Bellamy, chairperson of the Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Board of Directors, who described the cancer center as “a place of hope, caring and curing,” an opening prayer was offered by Sister M. Aline Shultz, O.S.F., chairwomen of the Franciscan Alliance Board. “(God is) the designer of all things, including the planning, design and building of this center. May it be a beacon of hope for those whom we are privileged to serve,” she said.
Bill Hanna, executive director of the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, noted, “Health and wellness is one of the main focuses for our 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.”
Sister Jane Marie Klein, O.S.F., longtime chairwomen of the Franciscan Health Foundation, noted that cancer affects a disproportionately large segment of Calumet Region families, “and it is our duty and privilege to reach out to all we possibly can to provide compassionate care,” as well as educational resources “devoted to prevention and cures. Our success will be measured by those afflicted (who can be) quickly treated and cured so they can live longer and healthier lives.”
With the goal of turning Northwest Indiana “into one of the healthiest places on earth to live and raise a family,” Sister Jane Marie offered the hope that “with prayer and dedication, this vision will be achieved.”
Craig White, son of Dean and Barbara White, spoke to the strong relationship his family’s foundation has with Franciscan Alliance and an eager willingness to partner with the healthcare nonprofit to finance the cancer center. “Cindy (his sister) and I lost our brother, Bruce, to cancer just two years ago,” White explained, so as he learned about the progress of plans for the cancer center, he realized “we can have world-class treatment here and it can be local.”
One of the most emotional statements came from Georgene Paulauski, a cancer survivor from Crown Point, who has been cancer-free for seven years after receiving treatment at Franciscan Health. “Your world is temporarily turned upside down,” she said of a cancer diagnosis, so the convenience of having a (treatment) center nearby will help families be together at a very difficult time. It’s going to answer prayers and miracles are going to happen here.”
Crown Point Mayor Pete Land thanked “all the decision makers for your continued commitment to this city,” noting that “probably not one person here has not been touched by a battle with cancer.”
The 71,000-square-foot, three-story facility is being constructed by Tonn and Blank Construction at the southeast corner of Interstate 65 and U.S. 231 on the campus of the new Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital, which opened in January. This state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment center will consolidate existing Franciscan Health Crown Point cancer care services at one location.
“Franciscan is grateful to The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation for its 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,” Franciscan Health Crown Point president and CEO Daniel McCormick, MD, said. “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,” he added.
The new cancer center is scheduled to open in early 2027.
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory (fourth from left) and Sister Jane Marie Klein, O.S.F., (fifth from left), chairwoman of the Franciscan Health Foundation, join other dignitaries, (from left) Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Board of Directors Chairman Cal Bellamy, Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation Executive Director Bill Hanna, Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation Board President Craig White, Bishop McClory, Sister Jane Marie Klein, OSF; Chairwoman of the Board of Franciscan Alliance Sister M. Aline Shultz, OSF; Crown Point Mayor Pete Land and president and CEO of Franciscan Health Crown Point Daniel McCormick, MD. to break ground for the Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center at Franciscan Health Crown Point on Sept. 23. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)