MU Health Care history

With the introduction of Medicare in 1966, Missouri’s legislature changed the law governing admissions to Ellis Fischel to include patients who could afford part of their costs in addition to patients who were unable to pay any costs.

The admissions requirements for patients were expanded in 1972 to include any Missourian with cancer who was referred by a doctor or dentist to Ellis Fischel.

In 1973, the Missouri legislature appropriated $7.6 million to build a new wing onto Ellis Fischel.

The three-story addition opened in 1975, expanding the hospital’s outpatient clinics and laboratory space and adding a new operating room suite.

In 1988, the reactor was awarded approval for Ceretec, its first commercial radiopharmaceutical to fight cancer.

In 1990, Ellis Fischel merged with the University of Missouri, combining strengths in cancer research and treatment into a comprehensive cancer program.

In 1991, Perry stepped down from his role as chair of the Department of Medicine at the MU School of Medicine and became interim medical director of Ellis Fischel.

Ellis Fischel began offering mobile mammography services via a rented van in 1992.

Various community Rotary clubs combined efforts to create a $50,000 Rotary Garden project outside the cancer center in 1994.

Ellis Fischel’s inpatient services were moved from the cancer center’s location on the Business Loop to University Hospital in 2000.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the cancer center’s auxiliary members, the Ernest and Eugenia Wyatt Guest House opened in 2001, just footsteps away from Ellis Fischel’s location on the Business Loop.

In 2004, Missouri designated Ellis Fischel as the state’s official cancer center.