Originally posted on WZZM13 by 13 On Your Side Staff
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The latest addition to Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile is here, bringing state-of-the-art technology to not only West Michigan but the country.
BAMF Health, which stands for ‘Bold Advanced Medical Future,’ officially opened its global headquarters to patients Wednesday at the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building. The facility has one of the nation’s only total body PET Scanner.
Most PET scans take 20 to 45 minutes, while BAMF’s takes only one. In addition, patients can receive their cancer therapy within hours of getting the total body scan.
This technology, used to diagnose and treat stage 4 prostate cancer, is so advanced that other medical facilities are already reaching out.
The grand opening Wednesday evening welcomed more than 100 invited guests on a tour of the new facility.
“We can offer treatment for late-stage prostate cancer and neuroendocrine cancer now,” said BAMF CEO and Founder, Dr. Anthony Chang at the event. “For other cancers like breast, brain, colon, and lung, we can offer the most advanced imaging and staging. We’re open, we’re treating patients, and we can help.”
Doug Meijer, co-chair of Meijer, who was once diagnosed with prostate cancer, was able to recover from the disease by getting treatment in Germany after several visits. While he was able to recover, he knows it’s not practical for everyone.
“This doesn’t seem right,” Meijer said. “We live in the best country in the world and I was fortunate and blessed enough to have the means to go over to Germany to get cancer treatment, where the bulk of the population doesn’t.”
Chang announced plans to build a second BAMF location in Detroit at the opening. He also said they hope to also treat neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and PTSD in the future.
“We’re going to revolutionize the new age of medicine,” Chang said. We’re going to start a new era of medicine. We’re here from Grand Rapids, ready to make the grand and rapid impact.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer was among some of key speakers and stressed the importance of the facility’s accessibility and affordability.
“BAMF will drive more R&D, will expand access to more-advanced care and it will save lives and put us on the global map in this space,” Whitmer said, later praising the company’s upcoming facility in Detroit.
“BAMF’s presence on the Medical Mile and future expansion in Southeast Michigan will build on our strength in the life sciences and health care industries, diversifying our economy and creating good-paying jobs for Michiganders.”
Chang, before closing, looked to his fellow employees and thanked them for their efforts.
“We’re gonna save millions of lives over here,” he said.
