FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Parkview Cancer Institute will be renamed the Packnett Family Cancer Institute in honor of Parkview Health CEO Mike Packnett and his family, who played an instrumental role in the development of the facility and its care model.
Parkview released the following:
Mike Packnett, who recently announced he will retire at the end of 2022, helped to launch plans for the Parkview Cancer Institute shortly after his wife Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. Based on their experience, the Packnetts aspired to create a cancer center that made high-quality, multi-specialty cancer care more accessible to the region. They also wanted to give patients and their families a better experience as they navigated the complexities of a cancer diagnosis.
The Parkview Cancer Institute delivered on those goals when it opened in 2018. Its multi-disciplinary care teams, who are experts not just in cancer, but in specific types of cancer, provide highly specialized care for each patient. The facility was designed to be a healing environment, offering a comprehensive array of outpatient services under one roof. It features a concierge team to greet and assist guests, as well as an atrium with an indoor garden.
The renaming was announced on Oct. 28 during Parkview’s Leadership Development Institute, a quarterly meeting of leaders from across the health system.
“We wanted to honor Mike, Donna and their daughters for the immeasurable impact they’ve had on our region,” said Dan Starr, CEO of Do it Best Corp., and chairman of the Parkview Health Board of Directors. “The Parkview Cancer Institute truly transformed cancer care. Now, the Packnett Family Cancer Institute will continue that legacy and honor the work they did to make it possible.”
Neil Sharma, MD, president of the Parkview Cancer Institute, reflected on conversations he had with Mike Packnett when they were in the early stages of planning. “When I think about Mike’s leadership, I think about his commitment to excellence, innovation and compassion for others. These are the same ideals that we used in the foundation of the Parkview Cancer Institute. The Packnett family should be proud of what they’ve created and how it’s making our world a better place.”
Mike, Donna and their daughters, Kristin and Kelli, were present for the renaming announcement.
“When you hear the words, ‘You have cancer,’ it stops everything,” Donna Packnett said. “We are forever grateful to the Parkview family for their support, and we are honored that our journey could help ensure the best possible care and outcomes for our cancer patients and families.”
“Knowing my mom and our family will have a legacy that is tied to such an incredible place of healing that brings hope, empathy and excellent care is overwhelming,” said Kelli Packnett.
“My sister, Kelli, and I moved here from Oklahoma to help care for our mom,” Kristin Packnett said. “We saw how cancer affects more than the patient – everybody in the family goes through it. Better cancer care for other families is definitely the silver lining in our journey with cancer.”
Taken by surprise at the announcement, Mike Packnett shared his gratitude to the Parkview board for their gesture. “The cancer institute means more to our family than you will ever know. We are so humbled to have our name on the building, but we are also so grateful for Dr. Sharma’s leadership and all our co-workers who serve there and will continue to ensure each patient’s journey is the best it can be.”
The facility’s signage and other materials will be changed to the Packnett Family Cancer Institute in early 2023.
