By
Erin Coulehan
Photography by
Annabella Mireles
Additional images courtesy of
Texas Tech El Paso
A groundbreaking transformation in cancer care is underway in the heart of the region. The Fox Cancer Center is set to break ground in 2025 and revolutionize the healthcare landscape in El Paso, addressing a long-standing gap in comprehensive cancer treatment. Dr. Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., president of Texas Tech El Paso and dean of the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, sheds light on the urgent need for this center and the extraordinary efforts that have brought it to life in order to save lives.
“Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, El Paso is the only one without a comprehensive cancer care center,” Dr. Lange explains. “For too long, individuals diagnosed with cancer have had to travel hundreds of miles – to Houston, Scottsdale, San Antonio, or Dallas – for the specialized treatment they need. Those who can afford it make the journey, but many in our community simply cannot. We have a large underserved population, and without access to cutting-edge cancer care, they are left without options. Our goal is to change that.”
The Fox Cancer Center isn’t just about treatment: it’s about prevention, early detection, and ensuring that cancer is caught in its earliest, most treatable stages.
“Screening is key,” Dr. Lange emphasizes. “If we can identify cancer before it fully develops or in its earliest stages, we can dramatically increase survival rates. That’s the kind of impact we aim to have.”
Establishing a world-class cancer center from the ground up is no small feat.
Dr. Lange details the immense collaboration and investment required to make the Fox Cancer Center a reality. “We needed a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders, our hospital partners, legislators, philanthropists, and the community at large,” he says.
University Medical Center (UMC) has played a pivotal role, not only in planning the center but also in securing funding.
“UMC has committed $30 million from a recently passed $396 million bond,” Dr. Lange notes. “And our legislators have stepped up as well, providing $65 million to push this initiative forward.”
Philanthropy has been just as crucial.
Steve and Nancy Fox made a historic $25 million gift, while the Paso del Norte Health Foundation contributed an additional $5 million.
“This outpouring of generosity underscores how deeply the community believes in this cause,” Dr. Lange says. “Every donation, big or small, has helped build a future where cancer patients no longer have to leave home for world-class treatment.”
Additionally, cancer survivors, whom Dr. Lange calls “cancer warriors,” have been instrumental in shaping the center’s patient-first approach.
“Many of these individuals had to seek treatment outside of El Paso. Their firsthand experiences have given us invaluable insight into how we can design a center that truly serves its patients, from diagnosis to recovery,” he explains.
These warriors, along with a dedicated patient-centric committee, have visited top-tier institutions like MD Anderson to study best practices.
“We wanted to understand how to make the patient journey as seamless and supportive as possible,” Dr. Lange says. “Cancer care isn’t just about medicine:it’s about emotional, mental, and even spiritual well-being. We are building a center that recognizes and nurtures all aspects of healing.”
Cutting-edge technology and innovative treatments will be at the heart of the Fox Cancer Center.
“We are equipping the facility with state-of-the-art radiation and cancer therapies, ensuring that our patients receive the most advanced care available,” Dr. Lange says. “Moreover, we are partnering with institutions like MD Anderson to bring clinical trials to El Paso, giving patients access to groundbreaking treatments that were previously out of reach.”
Beyond treatment, the center will serve as a hub for research and medical education.
“Texas Tech students interested in hematology and oncology currently have to train elsewhere,” Dr. Lange notes. “With the Fox Cancer Center, we can develop residency and fellowship programs right here, cultivating the next generation of cancer specialists.”
Recognizing that cancer affects not just individuals but entire families, the center will offer comprehensive support services.
“From mental health counseling to spiritual guidance and family support programs, we are taking a holistic approach to cancer care,” Dr. Lange explains. “Healing is about more than medicine, it’s about community, comfort, and care.”
As the Fox Cancer Center prepares to break ground, it stands as a beacon of hope and progress for the region.
“This center represents the culmination of years of dedication, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to our community,” Dr. Lange says. “It’s proof that when we come together with a shared vision, we can create something truly life-changing.”
