Cancer care in the south suburbs is set to expand with plans for a new Northwestern Medicine cancer institute in Orland Park.
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved Northwestern Medicine’s Certificate of Need for Facility, allowing the health system to move ahead with plans for the St. George Cancer Institute at its Orland Park campus.
“We are deeply grateful to The St. George Foundation for its ongoing support of advancing world-class medicine close to where patients live and work,” said Kate Matousek, president of Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital. “Their generosity allows us to expand access to cancer care for patients in the south suburbs and strengthen the care we provide across our system.”
The project is expected to break ground in early 2027, with completion anticipated in early spring 2030.
Plans call for a four-level medical office building with radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, physician offices for Northwestern Medical Group, outpatient rehabilitation, infusion services and an infusion pharmacy. The facility also will include cancer education and support services.
The project grew out of a need identified in Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment.
The St. George Foundation is helping make the project possible with a grant through Northwestern Memorial Foundation. The foundation has previously supported Northwestern Medicine’s work in cardiovascular, neuroscience and cancer care in the south suburbs.
The new institute will give patients access to several specialized services in one location. Planned technology includes advanced imaging capable of providing detailed views of the body and detecting active cancer cells.
The facility also is expected to offer theranostics, which combines PET imaging with targeted radioactive treatments. The approach is designed to identify cancer cells and deliver radiation directly to tumors while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.
A cyclotron also is planned. It will produce PET tracers and specialized radiopharmaceuticals for theranostics and research, with supplies distributed to locations throughout the Northwestern Medicine system.
Christopher George, medical director of oncology services at Northwestern Medicine, said the project will allow the health system to build on its existing cancer program.
“In addition to expanding our physical footprint, this new facility will allow us to continue to advance key recruitment efforts, strengthen our patient support services and further incorporate advanced technology,” George said.
The project will not replace the existing Northwestern Medicine Orland Park building. That facility will continue to provide outpatient services.
A four-level, 484-space parking garage also is planned and will connect to the new medical office building by a walkway.
The medical office building will have 151,149 square feet, while the parking structure will cover 164,533 square feet. The entire project will total 315,682 square feet.
Ed Mulcahy, chairman of the St. George Foundation, said the organization sees the project as an investment in the community.
“By bringing advanced diagnostics, treatments and support services closer to home, the St. George Cancer Institute will help strengthen access to comprehensive cancer care and provide a lasting benefit to communities throughout the region,” Mulcahy said.
Matousek said the project will also strengthen the connection between Northwestern Medicine’s downtown academic medical center and patients in the south suburbs.
“This new facility further extends our downtown academic medical center into the community and connects patients to advanced treatments and clinical expertise close to home,” she said.
