Historic Midland

The Allison Cancer Center, one of 20 cancer
centers, operated by Physician Reliance
Network, Inc., had its beginning in 1979 with
a $2 million endowment from Helon Y.
Allison. Mrs. Allison had an abiding concern
for Midlanders and others who, when faced
with the necessity for cancer therapy, had the
additional hardship of having to travel long
distances from their homes and loved ones.
After the initial donation, given by Mrs.
Allison in memory of her late husband James
and son James Jr., six other major donors
came forward: The Dora Roberts Foundation,
The Fasken Foundation, The First National
Bank, The Davidson Family Charitable
Foundation, Exxon Company and the W.F.
Scharbauer Trust, as well as a multitude of
additional gifts which poured in from the
community.
The completed Allison Cancer Center was
dedicated in June 1981, to offer radiation
therapy and chemotherapy. The two-level,
18,000-square-foot center accommodated 225
patients that first year.
In 1982, Dr. David Snyder joined the
Center as its first Medical Oncologist. Prostate
implants were offered, and the Center began
the use of investigational drugs in their final
stages of FDA approval. Shortly after Dr.
Snyder joined Texas Oncology, P.A, he was
joined in 1984 by Medical Oncologist Dr.
David Watkins, and in 1987 by Radiation
Oncologist Dr. James Corwin.
In 1995, Memorial Hospital transferred ownership
of the center to Physician Reliance
Network, Inc., (the physician practice management
company of Texas Oncology, P.A.). As a
facility under the umbrella of Texas Oncology,
the Center joined a network of 20 Cancer
Centers and 300-plus physician affiliates—a
tremendous advantage to patients of the Center.
In November 1996, the Center was renovated
and expanded, with a 9,000 square-foot
addition.
Now, The Allison Cancer Center with its
enlarged plant and state-of-the-art treatment
facilities is one of the Permian Basin’s outstanding
examples of teamwork between
Permian Basin citizens and the healthcare
community.
❖
Top: Helen Y. Allison, initial donor
who began the funding for the Allison
Cancer Center.
ALLISON
CANCER
CENTER
Middle: James Allison, Sr.
Bottom: James Allison, Jr.
Sharing the Heritage | 111