Raleigh Community Hospital is changing its name to Duke Health Raleigh Hospital (DHRH) effective June 1, 2004. Along with announcing the new name, DHRH is introducing Wake County residents to newly expanded services including a Cardiovascular Center and Cancer Center.

The new name identifies the facility with the expertise, value and cutting-edge technology of the Duke University Health System. The name also reinforces Duke’s ownership of the hospital as well as the convenience of “Duke at your doorstep” to Wake County residents.

Duke Health Raleigh Hospital CEO Jim Knight believes the name is more telling of the hospital’s expanded services. “Duke Health Raleigh Hospital offers specialties above those of a general hospital. This name speaks to our ability to provide a spectrum of health-care options including education, treatment, wellness and prevention.”

In addition to the new name, DHRH opened the Duke Health Raleigh Cardiovascular Center on May 25. The $2.3 million project is a Fixed Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization Lab with state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Equipment includes computerized tomography (CT) screening and flat panel detectors for the clearest images, least radiation exposure and most accurate diagnosis.

Opening three weeks after the cardiovascular center, the Duke Health Raleigh Cancer center will be completed in June. The new cancer center is a 22,400-square-foot facility containing the latest radiation therapy technology as well as expanded conveniences and support services. The $7.2 million project includes radiation therapy equipment with a new dual-energy linear accelerator and on-site simulation service.

With patient rooms designed to respect privacy and confidentiality, the center’s added space also includes areas for on-site social services, nutritional support and other allied health-care workers involved in providing comprehensive, multi-disciplinary services for oncology patients and their families. Patients and staff also will benefit from new education suites, as well as conference and medical education space.

Knight said the hospital’s emphasis on cancer and cardiac care will help meet a growing demand in the highly populated Wake County area. “This period of growth will benefit thousands of patients in our area and serve as a foundation as we continue to meet our community’s needs, all with the reputation and resources of Duke behind us.”

Formerly Raleigh Community Hospital, Duke Health Raleigh Hospital is a 186-bed acute-care facility on Wake Forest Road in North Raleigh. A full-service acute care hospital, DHRH’s range of services includes a 24-hour emergency department, intensive and critical care, childbirth center, cardiovascular center, cancer center, rehabilitation, diabetes treatment center, and community education.