Today in Archbold History: Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center Celebrates Grand Opening

June 12, 1988

The Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center was the first comprehensive cancer treatment center to open in our region. Although now known as the Lewis Hall Singletary Archbold Cancer Center and located on South Broad Street, Lewis Hall Singletary Oncology Center was originally located at 116 Mimosa Drive in the building that now houses Cardiovascular Consultants of South Georgia. This program that has impacted so many lives in our community celebrated its official opening on June 12, 1988, thirty-seven years ago today. 

Archbold staff, community members and physicians gathered that day with Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Hall Singletary, the family who gave the generous lead gift for the building fundraising campaign and for whom the center was named, to cut a ribbon celebrating the center’s opening. By the end of its first year, the center saw 399 registered patients and administered 4,714 radiation treatments and 643 chemotherapy treatments.

Archbold has prioritized cutting-edge technological advancements in cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment since the center opened. In 1989, Archbold’s surgery department acquired an ultrasound designed especially for prostate examinations, and in 1990, the Hospital Auxiliary donated a van to transport patients to and from the center for treatment. In the spring of 1992, the LHSOC became one of the first sites south of Atlanta to offer a revolutionary dialysis-type therapy treatment to cancer patients. Archbold began to expand oncology center services to clinics in neighboring communities later in the 1990s. ​

In January 2003, the Leskell Gamma Knife arrived at the LHSOC, transforming treatment for brain cancer and benign malformations. In the words of Radiation Oncologist Steven Johnson, MD, “The Gamma Knife has changed our entire practice.” Archbold upgraded to a Gamma Knife Perfexion in 2021 and will introduce the Gamma Knife Esprit in 2026. Archbold providers have treated nearly 1500 patients with the Gama Knife since 2003.

“Archbold’s continued investment in technology and the center’s patient-first focus allows us to offer the best in cancer care right here in Thomasville, rivaling and many times exceeding cancer centers in many larger cities and universities,” said Johnson.

In August 2010, the Lewis Hall Singletary Cancer Center’s new 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building opened its doors on S. Broad Street. The “New Home for Hope” offered expanded waiting and registration areas, new patient support areas, 19 patient examination rooms, 22 infusion bays, two linear accelerators, a dedicated lab and oncology pharmacy, a clinical research area, and a designated Gamma Knife Center, all under one roof. Continued expansion of services has included replacement accelerators, a brand-new CT scanner, and expanded support programs such as art therapy, yoga, and pet therapy.

In the first three decades, the center served well over 20,000 patients, and annual treatments number between 27,000-30,000.​

“Lewis Hall Singletary Archbold Cancer Center undoubtedly represents one of the most significant additions to Archbold and our community in the last century,” said Archbold Medical Oncologist Josh Simmons, MD, FACP.