New Advanced Pulmonary Suite Expands Lung Cancer Care at Ascension St. Vincent

Ascension St. Vincent has officially dedicated and blessed a new Advanced Pulmonary Suite, marking a significant advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of lung disease and suspected lung cancer.

Made possible through $4.5 million in philanthropic support from the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation, the state-of-the-art facility integrates advanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into a single clinical setting.

At the center of the suite is the Ion robotic bronchoscopy platform. This minimally invasive technology allows physicians to navigate deep into the peripheral areas of the lung to sample small, previously hard-to-reach nodules. Because many lung cancers originate in these outer regions, the platform enhances precision during early-stage biopsies, allowing care teams to detect malignancies earlier when treatment options are most effective.

"This investment allows us to bring a higher level of specialized pulmonary care to our patients close to home," said Vrushank Patel, MD, interventional pulmonologist at Ascension St. Vincent. "It is an exciting step forward for our patients and for the future of pulmonary care at Ascension St. Vincent."

Alongside robotic biopsy capabilities, the suite expands local access to advanced therapeutic interventions, including lung ablations and TruFreeze cryotherapy. By housing advanced diagnostics and treatments in one dedicated space, the care team can streamline the clinical journey-minimizing delays, reducing the need for repeated visits, and easing patient anxiety throughout the diagnostic process.

The project highlights the vital partnership between donor generosity and clinical excellence, equipping Ascension St. Vincent clinicians with the precision tools needed to deliver earlier diagnoses and compassionate, high-quality care to patients throughout Indiana.