Mercy recently announced the signing of 11 oncologists in a recruitment effort that creates the largest team of oncologists statewide outside of Tulsa.

"This landmark deal signals the dawn of a new era for Mercy in the field of oncology, unveiling our strong commitment to cancer care," said Di Smalley, CEO of Mercy in Oklahoma.

Mercy is now providing cancer services to several locations in four counties - Carter (Ardmore), Cleveland (Norman), Garfield (Enid) and Oklahoma - with a goal for further expansion. The new oncologists are already serving patients on the Mercy campus and at the Lake Hefner Pointe offices, where more than 100 employees have also been hired.

In addition, construction of a $14 million cancer center is under way at Mercy Memorial in Ardmore, scheduled to open in spring 2011.

 "We recognized long ago that the delivery of cancer services has largely been fragmented in Oklahoma, and Mercy now offers patients the opportunity to receive care closer to where they live," said Cullen Thomas, president of Mercy Clinic of Oklahoma.