Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham plans to invest $400 million in cancer care to expand its oncology capabilities as it prepares to transition away from its long-standing partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, President and CEO Anne Klibanski, MD, said in a March 18 letter to employees.
The investment will fund renovations across multiple facilities, including at Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital and at Brigham's Faulkner Hospital, to expand outpatient services. Additionally, it will support ongoing construction at Massachusetts General Hospital as well as an expanded exam room and infusion space at MGH-Waltham. These efforts will collectively form the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, which aims to be fully operational by fall 2028, aligning with the end of MGB's partnership with Dana-Farber.
Over the next four years, the $400 million investment will help "advance medical oncology, radiation oncology, cancer surgery, digital pathology, technology upgrades, support staffing, and patient navigation across MGB," Dr. Klibanski wrote.
MGB's decision to build its own cancer institute comes amid heightened competition in Massachusetts. Dana-Farber is planning a new $1.7 billion, 300-bed cancer hospital in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, further intensifying the regional focus on oncology services.
Beyond the newly announced $400 million investment, MGB has already been expanding its cancer care infrastructure. The $1.9 billion Phillip and Susan Ragon Building, currently under construction at Massachusetts General Hospital, will house the Mass General Cancer Center and include 228 acute care inpatient beds and 32 intensive care unit beds.
The cancer care investment comes as MGB faces broader financial and operational challenges. The health system recently began its second round of layoffs this year, with about 1,500 employees reportedly affected by the overall workforce reductions, according to The Boston Globe. The system said the workforce cuts, which primarily affected nonclinical and administrative roles, are part of an effort to close a projected $250 million budget gap.
"As we navigate a period of challenging but pivotal change, I appreciate your continued dedication to our patients and to each other," Dr. Klibanski wrote in her letter to employees. "Our reorganization and financial stewardship will strengthen our foundation and enable us to make strategic investment in our patients, our care teams and our mission -- preparing us for the ongoing headwinds facing our industry."