Copley Hospital’s newly expanded Infusion Center, scheduled for completion in spring 2024, will be named The William B. DeLaney Infusion Center after the late Bill DeLaney, a longtime supporter and former patient. DeLaney’s wife, Beverly Valteich DeLaney, announced the $200,000 gift after learning about the need to expand the Center. Bill and Beverly are pictured on the porch of their family’s summer home in Craftsbury .
Though Bill and Beverly lived for over 50 years in Cleveland, Ohio, they spent annual summer vacations in Craftsbury. “Bill counted the days to when we could travel to Vermont,” said Beverly, who shared that as Bill’s health declined, he needed weekly blood transfusions. Beverly says she was relieved to learn that Bill could get his required care at Copley. “Thanks to Copley, a happy decision was made that we’d be able to spend another summer at our favorite place.” When Beverly received a notice about the Infusion Center expansion, she quickly jumped at the opportunity to give back.
The Infusion Center serves 2,500 patients a year with a wide variety of cancer diagnoses and provides chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other targeted therapies under the oversight of CVMC oncologist, Dr. David Ospina, who is onsite at Copley Hospital twice a month. The clinic also serves patients needing care for blood conditions, iron infusions, injections, and blood-product transfusions. Oncologists and specialists from larger medical centers such as UVM and Dartmouth Hitchcock regularly refer patients to the Infusion Care so their patients can receive care close to home.
When complete, the Infusion Center will have three private rooms, three semi-private rooms, and a common gathering space lit by natural light. The goal is to meet the growing demand for community members to get the care they need at their local hospital.
Laura Labow, APRN-BC, MSN, AOCNP, who oversees Copley Hospital’s Oncology/Infusion Department with Nurse Practitioner Barbara Matarazzo, sees first-hand how grateful patients and their families are to be able to receive their care at their local hospital. “Being able to continue to provide this care – and to do it in a space that reflects our dedication and creates a more welcoming environment – is something we look forward to. We could not be more grateful to our generous supporters – especially Beverly DeLaney – who share in our vision.”
Engelberth Construction of Colchester – who built The Woodlands at Stowe, Copley’s independent living community – will start work on the project in December.