KNOXVILLE, IA – Knoxville Hospital & Clinics (KHC) is excited to announce it has received a $3.5 million grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to purchase a TrueBeam linear accelerator, a cutting-edge radiation therapy system that delivers faster, more precise, and more comfortable treatment for cancer patients. The advanced technology will be a cornerstone of the South Central Iowa Radiation Center, currently under construction in Pella.
The state-of-the-art, 7,800-square-foot radiation center is a joint project between KHC and Pella Regional Health Center (PRHC) and will significantly reduce travel burdens for patients by providing high-quality cancer care closer to home. The facility is expected to be completed in early 2027 and will feature leading diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
“With this transformative gift from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, we are able to purchase a powerful disease-fighting weapon for the South Central Iowa Radiation Center – a TrueBeam linear accelerator that will deliver high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy in a shorter timeframe, helping patients complete treatment with less disruption to their daily lives,” said Kevin Kincaid, CEO of KHC. “This investment further strengthens our [KHC and PRHC] commitment of bringing innovative radiation treatment options close to home.”
Construction of the radiation center began this past spring, and the $14.6 million project is on track for completion in early 2027. The collaboration between KHC and PRHC represents the first time two hospitals in Iowa have partnered to provide radiation therapy services, addressing a long-standing need for patients in the region.
“The addition of the South Central Iowa Radiation Center is a monumental step forward for patients and their families facing cancer diagnoses in central and southern Iowa,” said Walter Panzirer, a Trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust. “The Helmsley Charitable Trust is committed to improving access to health care in rural America. This project demonstrates how two health systems, communities, and philanthropy can work together to make much needed cancer care close to home a reality for patients and their families.”
The Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Foundation and Pella Regional Health Center Foundation have jointly launched a capital campaign to fund the $14.6 million in construction and equipment expenses. If you would like to join the Foundations and bridge the gap to bring cancer care closer to home for patients in central and southern Iowa, you can make a donation at www.knoxvillehospital.org/donate. Every dollar given to the Bridging the Gap campaign makes a difference in the lives of those receiving radiation treatment and their loved ones.
About The Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has granted more than $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $850 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and two U.S. Pacific territories, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information, visit www.helmsleytrust.org.
About the South Central Iowa Radiation Center
After the shock of a cancer diagnosis, the focus quickly turns to how to fight the disease. Currently, no radiation oncology services are available in Marion County. Patients must travel at least 45 miles each way to the nearest radiation center. To change that, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics and Pella Regional Health Center are collaborating to build the South Central Iowa Radiation Center. This partnership marks the first time in Iowa that two hospitals have joined forces on a project of this size, ensuring cancer patients across central and southern Iowa have access to critically important treatment closer to home. Construction of the South Central Iowa Radiation Center began this past spring, and the $14.6 million project is on track for completion in early 2027.
Knoxville Hospital & Clinics is a non-profit community hospital serving Marion County and the surrounding area. Named a 2025 Top Workplaces Industry winner, KHC’s highly skilled staff and specialists are committed to providing personal, compassionate, and innovative health care to individuals in our area. For more information regarding this release and other happenings at Knoxville Hospital & Clinics, call the Public Relations Department at (641) 842-1418 or visit knoxvillehospital.org.
