‘Super fortunate’: New cancer treatment center opens in North Augusta

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Beacon Bluff Project in North Augusta should be nearing its end.

In late March, the developer of Beacon Bluff, Palmetto Peach Development, told News 12 the core shell should have wrapped up about a month after Masters Week.

But today, the focus is next door to Beacon Bluff — on a long-awaited cancer treatment facility that used to be the former Medac building.

In January of 2024, we reported about 50 Medac employees were still working in the building.

But now, more than a year later, it’s being filled by Augusta Oncology.

Augusta Oncology Multispecialty Clinics is expected to bring about 100 jobs to the area.

But its patients are the ones ready to benefit.

It’s a $30 million facility with radiology and oncology all in one building and Nancy Kitchens says the stress of not having to choose between family or work and traveling to get the care she receives now — has made her process a lot smoother.

“When you are given a cancer diagnosis, all you hear is the word.”

Then, a flood of questions.

“Oh, my goodness, how are we going to do this? How? How are we going to handle this and how are we going to afford this? What can we do?”

When Nancy Kitchens was diagnosed with breast cancer — she knew there would be challenges — but long-distance travel for treatment isn’t one.

“We can be right here in Augusta, North Augusta, Aiken, Edgefield,” Kitchens explains. “Everything’s with 45 minutes from you. We’re very lucky that it’s that convenient for us.”

It’s all made possible by South Carolina’s decision to repeal the certificate of need law, which previously controlled the number of health care resources in an area.

“We are offering two machines that are at the absolute peak of healthcare,” Bailey Scifleet, the director of finance at Augusta Oncology, says. “We are super fortunate to be able to offer the top radiation therapies that are available.”

Nancy says what makes a difference in her fight — is the kind of treatment she’s receiving.

“It’s a lot faster, a lot sleeker, a lot more definite where it goes,” Kitchens says. “And so, you’re just talking about an amazing piece of equipment that’s hovering over you like a spaceship. It’s really strange.”

And it’s pain-free.

“No pain. You can feel it moving your body just little tiny increments to get it focused just right. It’s so precise and it’s treating exactly what the doctor wants treated,” said Kitchens.

Through every treatment at Augusta Oncology, Kitchens says her fear melts away — and her strength begins to grow.

“I’m not saying I don’t have a bad day,” she explains. “I’m just saying that when somebody tells you ‘I got you and we’re going to take care of you and you’re going to be OK.’ And I know what a great doctor he is. I was like, ‘OK, I’m gonna be OK.”

Augusta Oncology says they currently see about 30 patients a day — but soon that number will increase to nearly 100.

The development is a product of a year’s long project by North Augusta Forward.

It was funded without the use of city or taxpayer dollars.

The developer said supply chain issues impacted the development timeline after leaders expected the project to be done in February of this year.

But they are close to being done, which is good news for tenants and businesses.

We will let you know when the core of Beacon Bluff is fully complete.

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