A.J. Martini celebrates topping off ceremony for 60,000 s/f Center for Cancer Care at Winchester Hospital

A.J. Martini, Inc. and more than 100 participants gathered recently to celebrate the topping off of Winchester Hospital's Center for Cancer Care at 620 Washington St. The placing of the final steel beam was met with cheers from the crowd of Winchester Hospital board members, medical staff, administrators, employees, volunteers and Winchester Hospital donors. Local town officials and members of the Winchester community also attended the event. Opening in the summer of 2011, the project will expand the existing cancer care facility at 620 Washington St. to create a 60,000 s/f comprehensive Center for Cancer Care. The center has been designed by Steffian Bradley Architects and will bring together clinical staff from three sites into one location. Designed for LEED Gold certification for commercial interiors, the new center will provide a state-of-the-art facility with the utmost in patient privacy, comfort and convenience. The Center for Cancer Care is the first phase of a larger $50 million project that includes an ambulatory surgery center and enhancements at the hospital's main campus located at 41 Highland Ave. "To say that all of us here today are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone would be an understatement," said Kevin Smith, president and chief executive officer of Winchester Hospital. "Putting our names on this beam symbolizes this organization's commitment to our patients." Paul Martini, chairman of A.J. Martini, Inc. construction managers, said he is proud to be part of the team working to enhance the comfort and convenience of cancer patients. After the small pine tree was placed on top of the beam - which was signed by all attendees -Rep. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) praised the hospital's "vision, determination and hard work" in addressing the health care needs of the community while remaining an exemplary employer and philanthropic contributor to the town.