History
Learn More About the History of CTCA: Chat with Us | Email Us
The origins of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) treatment philosophy date back to the early 1980s following the tragic death of Mary Brown Stephenson from cancer. Mrs. Stephenson was the beloved mother of our founder Richard J Stephenson.
After his mother's diagnosis, Mr. Stephenson embarked on a mission to find the most advanced and effective cancer treatments available. He hoped his efforts would enable his mother to recover and remain an integral, irreplaceable part of his life and the lives of his children.
The Stephensons were sorely disappointed by what they found. What were regarded as world-renowned cancer treatment facilities were singularly focused on the clinical and technical aspects of cancer treatment, ignoring the individual needs of the patient and the multi-faceted nature of the disease. Tragically Mrs. Stephenson did not live to watch her grandchildren grow and mature.
To keep his mother's memory and spirit alive, Richard vowed to change the face of cancer care. He selected a group of outstanding oncologists and challenged them to find a way to deliver whole-person cancer treatment in a compassionate, nurturing environment.
Richard founded a facility in northern Illinois, where the CTCA model of care was first implemented. He ensured its success by keeping his staff members focused on one thing—making a difference in the lives of people living with cancer.
Since then, the experts at CTCA have been committed to revolutionizing cancer care. As a result, Cancer Treatment Centers of America is the only cancer treatment hospital of its kind in the nation.
By implementing the Mother Standard® of care, CTCA cancer doctors provide patients with the same warmth, unconditional support and respect we would extend to our own mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, or other loved ones.
In caring for patients like family, our clinicians take an aggressive and individualized approach to cancer treatment. They combine the latest medical, surgical and radiation therapies with supportive therapies like nutrition, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, oncology rehabilitation, and spiritual support. This whole-person approach gives those fighting cancer new options and hope.
The CTCA network of treatment facilities includes cancer hospitals in Zion, Illinois, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Goodyear, Arizona, as well as an outpatient practice in Seattle, Washington.