Mead Family Cancer Center to Bring Advanced Cancer Care to Columbus Community Hospital

Transformational gift from the Mead family launches new 26,500-square-foot facility, set to open in 2026

Thanks to a gift from the Mead family, former owners of Mead Lumber and longtime champions of the Columbus community, the Columbus Community Hospital is proud to announce the official name of its new, state-of-the-art cancer care facility: the Mead Family Cancer Center. Set to break ground this spring and open in fall 2026, the center will unite comprehensive cancer services under one roof, combining advanced treatments, cutting-edge technology, and compassionate, personalized care.

The naming of the Mead Family Cancer Center marks an important milestone in CCH’s mission to provide high-quality cancer care to the region. The center is named in honor of a generous donation from the Mead family, whose commitment to supporting local health care is transforming the way cancer treatment is delivered in central Nebraska. The Mead family’s contribution is a testament to the family members’ enduring dedication to improving the health and well-being of the Columbus community.

“My family has been touched by cancer,” said Bob Mead, former owner of Mead Lumber. “I’m giving to this center because I believe everyone deserves access to compassionate care and cutting-edge treatments within their community.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the Mead family for their generosity and commitment to enhancing cancer care in our area,” said Keith Luedders, vice president for ancillary services at CCH. “Their support helps make the vision of the Mead Cancer Center a reality, and we are excited to offer our community a comprehensive, convenient and patient-centered cancer care experience.”

The Mead Cancer Center will span 26,500 square feet and consolidate CCH’s oncology services, including infusion therapy, radiation oncology (Columbus Cancer Care), medical oncology (Hematology & Oncology Consultants, PC), PET/CT imaging and patient navigation — all in one location. This centralized approach aims to streamline care, making it more accessible and efficient for patients, while also enhancing coordination among the health care team.

With a focus on cutting-edge technology, the Mead Family Cancer Center will offer access to a permanent PET/CT (positron emission tomography/computed tomography) scanner, which will be available five days a week. This technology, which was previously only available once a week through a mobile unit, will provide faster diagnoses and more accurate monitoring. Additionally, the center will feature a Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator — an advanced radiation therapy system known for its precision, speed and ability to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

“The Mead Family Cancer Center is an important addition to our community that is going to provide our patients with their needed services under one roof,” said Cori Fullner, director of the Columbus Community Foundation. “The Mead family has been a staple in Columbus for several generations, and the family members’ work ethic, philanthropy and selfless nature is to be commended. We hope that their donation will nudge others to consider donating to our foundation. We are very excited about this incredible addition to our hospital campus. It will definitely change lives.”

The Mead Family Cancer Center will be a beacon of hope for patients in the region, providing them with advanced treatments and the support they need throughout their cancer journey.

About Mead Lumber

Mead Lumber is a 100% Employee Owned company that has become one of the leaders in the building materials industry, ranking in the top 11 nationally for companies serving Professional Builders. Mead Lumber now has 53 operating locations in Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming, including six truss and wall panel manufacturing plants and a countertop manufacturing facility. Mead Lumber specializes in providing a complete line of materials to builders and homeowners including lumber, building materials, trusses & wall panels, millwork, kitchen cabinets and countertops, siding, decking, windows, doors and hardware.

Contact:

Barry Kriha – Director of Marketing, Communications and Branding – (531) 710-3200 – barry.kriha@meadlumber.com

Source: Mead Lumber Company, Inc.