The Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute (ACI) at Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga., celebrated its grand opening on August 27, 2003. But our history of treating cancer began long before that.

For more than 50 years, we've been fighting cancer and saving lives in southeast Georgia.

In 1955, Memorial Hospital opened its doors. At that time, cancer was typically treated with surgery and high doses of X-ray therapy. Cancer was not talked about publicly and was often viewed as a death sentence. Fortunately, times have changed.

In 1963, Memorial Hospital purchased and installed Savannah’s first Cobalt 60 machine for radiation treatment.

In 1979, Memorial purchased two new linear accelerators for cancer treatment. These machines were able to deliver radiation therapy to a more precise location, creating less damage in the surrounding healthy tissue.

In 1981, Memorial signed a contact with the National Cancer Institute to establish a Community Hospital Oncology Program. The program's goal was to expand oncology services in the outpatient setting, allowing people to receive their treatment and then return home to rest and recover.

In 1990, Memorial began offering stereotactic radiosurgery for cancer. This treatment process uses special equipment to position the patient and deliver a high-dose beam of radiation directly into the tumor, without damaging the surrounding tissue.

In 1993, Memorial became first facility in southeast Georgia to offer a pediatric hematology/oncology program.

In 2001, the Memorial Cancer Center changed its name to the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University Medical Center. This was done to honor the generous couple that helped to fund the construction of a new, state-of-the-art cancer treatment facility at Memorial.

In 2003, patients began receiving treatment in the new 27,500 square-foot building. The facility houses medical physics, medical and surgical oncology, specialty clinics, a beautiful healing garden, and more.

In October 2006, we took cancer care in Savannah one step further, and opened the region’s only cancer research and education facility. Within the William and Iffath Hoskins Center for Biomedical Research, there are 30,000 square feet of space devoted exclusively to cancer research, including research on the molecular genetics and biology of cancer.

In 2007, we earned an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer.

In 2009, we received our second consecutive three-year Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer. That same year, our breast care services earned accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, a program of the American College of Surgeons.

You can contact us at:
Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at MUMC
4700 Waters Avenue
Savannah, GA 31404
912-350-8490 or 800-343-3025