DALTON, Ga. — Jane Peeples Stanfield says she has been “amazed and literally brought to tears” by the beauty of Hamilton Medical Center’s new Peeples Cancer Institute and by the technology in each department.

“You can see the enormous amount of planning put into bringing this building to life,” she said.

Stanfield’s parents, Shelby and Willena Peeples, provided a legacy gift that helped make the cancer institute possible.

“Both of them are cancer survivors and were fortunate enough to travel out of town for treatment,” Stanfield said. “They wanted everyone to be afforded the opportunity for the best cancer treatment and felt this gift would facilitate this opportunity.”

The cancer institute began accepting patients on Jan. 6. A community open house is planned for Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

The 64,000-square-foot, $46.5 million building on Memorial Drive brings outpatient cancer diagnostic and treatment services to one location.

“Every aspect of Peeples Cancer Institute is focused on the needs of our patients and families so that we provide an outstanding patient experience and the best clinical outcomes,” said Jeff Myers, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Care System. “Our goal is to foster collaboration, communication and education among physicians and our medical teams to advance and enhance our care for patients. They are our number one priority.”

The interior of the building displays the work of local and regional artists, including several cancer survivors.

“Many in our village have given their time, talents and resources toward the development of Peeples Cancer Institute,” said Stanfield. “We all should be proud of a health care facility of this caliber in northwest Georgia.”

Hamilton’s cancer program is accredited by the Commission on Cancer, whose website describes it as “a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients.”

“We are honored to be a part of making this dream come true for Hamilton Medical Center and all of those affected by this terrible disease,” said Stanfield.