Eastern's History
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Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) was founded in 1988 following Mary Brown Stephenson’s tragic death from cancer. Profoundly disappointed by the lack of compassionate, innovative, hopeful cancer care, her son, Richard J Stephenson vowed to change the face of cancer forever.
Mr. Stephenson recruited like-minded, highly talented oncologists and specialists challenging them to create more hopeful, therapeutic options. Together, they combined state-of-the-art medical, surgical and radiation interventions with adjuvant therapies including immunotherapy, nutritional and naturopathic support, mind-body medicine, and spiritual care - all focused on the patient in the compassionate manner that Mr. Stephenson would have wanted for his mother, but did not find. The Mother Standard® of care was born.
After the founding hospital was built in Zion, Illinois, news of this “new kind of hospital” spread. Facilities were added in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Seattle, Washington. Patients came from all 50 states and 30 foreign countries – cancer had a new enemy. And now, with the addition of Eastern Regional Medical Center, cancer patients have a new ally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.