Brownwood Regional Medical Center officials, community and civic leaders and former patients gathered Thursday afternoon to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Walker Cancer Center in Brownwood.

Refreshments were served and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held to commemorate the event and to display the newest upgrade of the Linear Accelerator.

Former Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey read the proclamation commemorating the 20th anniversary of the center on behalf of Mayor Stephen Haynes who was unable to attend the event.

The Walker Cancer Center was named in honor of a long time physician James B.N. Walker who practiced in Brownwood and surrounding area from 1934 until his retirement in 1968.

Walker Cancer Center is the only facility within an 80 mile radius that offers both Radiation & Medical Oncology services. After a recent upgrade to Linear Accelerator, IGRT or Image Guided Radiation Therapy is now offered. The upgrade provides a newer treatment service and the staff is pleased to be able to offer this to their patients.

Since 1994 Walker Cancer Center has provided over 24,000 Chemotherapy Treatments utilizing 6 Chemotherapy Suites and over 96,000 Radiation Treatments with the Linear Accelerator.

There are currently 18 staff members including  Radiation Oncologist – Allan Cass, MD who has practiced at BRMC Walker Cancer Center since July 2001 and & Medical/Hematology Oncologist- Victor Hirsch, MD who has been practiced at BRMC since February of this year.  Dr. Hirsch previously practiced at the Abilene Cancer Centers.

Pictured at top are former patients of Walker Cancer Center and current doctors cutting the ribbon.  The ribbon is the original one cut 20 years ago when the center opened.  Pictured below is a demonstration by staff of how the Linear Accelerator operates.