VERDE VALLEY, Ariz. – Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) announced plans to centralize the cancer services it provides in the Verde Valley by constructing a new cancer center location on the Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC) campus in Cottonwood. The project construction is expected to commence in late winter/early spring of 2026.
The cancer center will produce 30,000 square feet of clinical care, and will incorporate all cancer services under one roof. The plan will involve closing Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare in Sedona, in an effort to reduce travel times for many patients. NAH conducted a study of patients who used NAH oncology services over the last several years, with the data showing that 80% of patients would be commuting a shorter distance to receive their oncology treatment in Cottonwood compared to Sedona. Additionally, some patients must see multiple providers in one day, so centralizing those services in one location will improve the patient experience.
The new cancer center will be placed on part of the current walking path at VVMC. The path will be relocated during construction to retain this important community recreation space. In Sedona, NAH will use the opportunity to grow its Sedona Medical Center services in future years, after cancer services move to Cottonwood.
“We are so excited to announce NAH’s future cancer center in Verde Valley,” said Dave Cheney, CEO of Northern Arizona Healthcare. “Integrating all cancer services in Cottonwood will provide better service to all oncology patients, including those from Sedona. An added benefit is that a cancer center model, with all services co-located next to a hospital, will support continued recruitment of high-quality oncologists. We believe it’s important to invest in the community, and that includes investing in our facilities. We are confident that these facilities will support the needs of our patients and the communities we serve,” Cheney added.
“We also want to be transparent when talking about future plans for NAH services, as there has been talk the past about a reduction in services,” said Bo Cofield, NAH chief operating officer. “We’re sharing our oncology plans and discussion about the future uses of the space in Sedona because we value the community, and we want our neighbors to hear from us about how an integrated cancer center serves Sedona, Cottonwood and all of the towns in the Verde Valley,” Cofield added.
NAH will keep the community informed about the progression of this new project, as it continues to build on NAH’s commitment of delivering exceptional health care close to home. For more information about the services currently provided at NAH, please visit https://www.nahealth.com/.