KEARNEY, Neb. — This is a state of the art cancer center near a soon-to-open medical school.

It’s hailed as a world-class facility offering research and cutting-edge treatment. It’s in the middle of rural Nebraska and it all started from humble beginnings.

“Just one thing led to another. I wasn’t thinking about doing anything like that," Dr. Cynthia Lewis said. "But as we were just talking, I’m like, ‘what are the possibilities?’ They’re endless. This is beyond what I would have imagined three years ago.”

Dr. Cynthia Lewis opened Heartland Hematology and Oncology in Kearney in 2000. Her practice joined Nebraska Medicine three years ago. Now this month, the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center - Kearney will open to patients and the public.

“Beyond my wildest imagination actually," Lewis said. "I would have never thought this three years ago.”

The new cancer center is a $52 million project spanning more than 53,000 square feet. It will offer medical oncology like Lewis’s previous operation and is adding radiation oncology.

Cancer patient Judy Borden says having both specialties in the same place will save time and stress.

“To have everything in one building, like both the chemo and the radiation, because my radiation was outsourced," Borden said. "So it will be so nice to have it all here.”

But the biggest convenience is the location. Eliminate her three hour trips to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha and replace them with a 30-minute journey to Kearney.

“Plus, any treatment that you do during the day, usually it’s not an overnight stay, so you can be home in your own home and bed,” Borden said.

The building will triple the number of patients the doctors can see. It includes a resource room with wigs, hats, scarves and a gift shop, an enlarged infusion space and a healing garden.

A cancer center exceeding even its founder’s dreams.

“It’s just nice to be able to have my thoughts and my hopes for cancer care in Central Nebraska actually come to life,” Lewis said.

Nebraska Medicine is hosting an open house for the public on Saturday from 11:00-2:00. It will open to patients on Dec. 16.