FORT OGLETHORPE — Hutcheson Medical Center will break ground May 5 on a health-care complex, Hutcheson on the Parkway. The ceremony, which is open to the public, begins at 5 p.m.

The facility, to be located at 4750 Battlefield Parkway, will include a $10 million cancer center, outpatient surgery center, imaging center and medical office building.

We’re very excited about our new project," said Dr. Ralph Nipp, chief executive officer at Hutcheson. "Walker, Dade and Catoosa counties are growing, and our Parkway campus will help us strengthen our commitment to provide the best care to the people in our community."

Hutcheson Medical will build a center for cancer care.

“Although Hutcheson already provides cancer services such as medical oncology, mammography and support groups, the Hutcheson vision includes the ability to treat cancer with the most progressive advancements in science, technology, and patient care,” the hospital said Monday in a news statement.

“The Hutcheson Center for Cancer Care will be a state-of-the-art facility and will include diagnostic, radiation oncology, medical oncology and other services all in one building. The center will also include support groups and a cancer education center,” the statement read.

"This is truly great news for cancer patients in our area," Dr. Nipp said.

The centralization of treatment options and follow-up support will enhance the care and treatment of the area’s cancer patients, hospital officials said.

"We know many cancer patients have had to go to big city hospitals for treatment in the past," Nipp said. "Now, they can stay close to home and get the care and assistance they need from family and friends.”

The Ambulatory Surgery Center also reflects Hutcheson Medical Center’s commitment to patient care, hospital officials said. The new facility will provide patients the convenience of same-day surgery without the costs of a hospital stay. It will feature two operating suites designed for any surgical specialty to include orthopedics; ear, nose and throat; plastic surgery; gynecology and ophthalmology procedures. The center will also feature two gastrointestinal endoscopy suites.

The center continues Hutcheson’s commitment to offer patient care using advanced equipment and progressive techniques, Hutcheson officials said.

Hutcheson Parkway Campus will include a 60,000-square-foot medical office building. A variety of health-care services will be available at the new building, including obstetrics, gynecology, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, family practice and other specialties.

An advanced imaging center will be located on the ground floor of facility. Project Developer Carlton Ohly of Meadows & Ohly, LLC, Atlanta, said physicians have shown overwhelming enthusiasm for the project and more than 90 percent of the office space has already been leased.

"There has been so much interest in the facility, we had to increase the size of the structure," Ohly said.

Overall design was important in planning for the new medical complex.

"Hutcheson Parkway Campus will promote a warm and welcoming feeling from the moment the patient comes through the door," Nipp said.

The entire complex was designed with patient convenience and comfort in mind. The Hutcheson Parkway Campus grounds will feature a courtyard, gazebo and lake.

"There will be benches around the lake so patients and family members have a place where they can relax and enjoy the outdoors," Nipp said