News

Health Foundation Makes a $5M Leadership Commitment to TTUHSC El Paso to Support Comprehensive Cancer Care at the Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center

September 23, 2024

In the continued efforts of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation to invest in health promotion and disease prevention, the Foundation has made a $5 million leadership commitment to Texas Tech Health El Paso to support comprehensive cancer care at the Steve and Nancy Fox Cancer Center.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation was established nearly 30 years ago to lead, leverage and invest in initiatives, programs and policies that promote health and prevent disease in the Paso del Norte region. The $5 million grant will support the Fox Cancer Center by funding the recruitment of top-tier cancer specialists. Recruitment efforts will include comprehensive packages for key support staff and healthcare leaders to ensure they have the resources they need to provide exceptional care and offer hope through cutting edge treatments and access to clinical trials.

Additionally, the grant will fund the hiring of a director for the Patient Support Services Unit, which will focus on providing a seamless, high-quality patient experience from the moment they step foot in or call the Fox Cancer Center. The unit will include patient navigators, nutritionists, and other key support staff to ensure everything about the Fox Cancer Center experience is patient-centric. This initiative is driven by the expertise and vision of El Paso community leader Steve Fox, whose experience at MD Anderson inspired this top-priority project.

“It is important to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation to support efforts to grow the health professionals available to provide high-quality care for the residents of our region. It is also essential to develop comprehensive cancer resources to ensure access to the best possible care, right here at home,” said Tracy J. Yellen, CEO of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. “The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is proud to make this leadership gift to Texas Tech to attract top cancer specialists and support patient navigation for the Fox Cancer Center.”

El Paso offers basic cancer treatment for adults but lacks advanced comprehensive medical services for bone marrow transplants, genetic risk assessment, PET scans, surgical robotics, and more.

Currently, the closest cancer centers are in Albuquerque, 250 miles away, and Houston, nearly 750 miles away. These distances impose a heavy financial and emotional burden on patients and their families. The opening of the Fox Cancer Center will allow patients in our Borderplex region to receive high-quality cancer care close to home as they face the battle of their lives.

Once complete, the Fox Cancer Center will consolidate outpatient services, including cancer imaging, treatment, research, clinical trials, and community outreach. With a comprehensive team of specialists and cutting-edge resources under one roof, the center will dramatically improve access to life-saving care for our region.

“Words can’t express our thanks to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation for this remarkable $5 million foundational grant,” said Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., president of Texas Tech Health El Paso. “Their visionary support will be instrumental in transforming cancer care in our region. United by a shared mission to elevate the health and well-being of our binational community, this grant empowers us to bring world-class cancer specialists to the Fox Cancer Center and provide compassionate support services. Together, we’re not just improving health care in West Texas — we’re shaping a brighter, healthier future for generations to come.”

Texas Tech Health El Paso has been an important partner to the Paso del Norte Health Foundation as it has evolved into a free-standing health sciences center for our community. When Texas Tech Health El Paso first launched the Foster School of Medicine, the PdNHF invested $1.25 million to create the Medical Student Loan Program, with the goal of improving El Paso’s doctor-to-patient ratio. The Health Foundation further committed $11 million to help establish the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, which will see the first graduation of dental school students next year.

For more information on how the Paso del Norte Health Foundation invests in the health of our region, visit pdnhf.org or call (915) 544-7636.